On communication: How can architects talk about climate change?

This article first appeared in The Architect Victoria: The Climate action edition, Spring/Summer 2020

This year has prompted us to look for a new direction that reduces our impaction the planet. Perhaps we'll collectively commit to reducing carbon emissions by 45 per cent as outlined in the Paris Agreement (note 1). Doing so will require deep structural change. Global emissions must fall by between 3 and 7 per cent each year now through to 2030 to limit climate change well below 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius respectively according to the United Nations Gap report (note 2).

For architects who want to facilitate structural and Individual change - but largely,rely on clients and regulators to set the financial and environmental parameters of their projects - there Is plenty of apprehension about these goals.

However, there is also hope, because today - more than ever before - the Australian public is ready to engage with notions of climate change mitigation and resi1ience in relation to the built environment.

In April, lpsos - a market research company -found that 57 percent of Australians want climate change initiatives to be prioritised in post-COVID·19 economic recovery activities (note 3).

You can read the full article here.

Note 1: ipcc.ch/2018/10/08/summary-for-policymakers-of-ipcc-special-report-on-global-warming-of-1-5c-approved-by-governments/

Note 2: unenvironment.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2019

Note 3: ipsos.com/en-au/two-thrids-citizens-around-world-agree-climate-change-serious-crisis-covid19-ipsos-survey