Australian architects declare climate and biodiversity emergency

For everyone working in the construction industry, meeting the needs of our society without breaching the earth’s ecological boundaries will demand a paradigm shift in our behaviour. Together with our clients, we will need to commission and design buildings, cities and infrastructures as indivisible components of a larger, constantly regenerating and self-sustaining system.

Australian architects are joining an international declaration recognizing the existence of a global environmental and biodiversity climate emergency. 

Stating that "the research and technology exist for us to begin that transformation now, but what has been lacking is collective will," the architects seek to "advocate for faster change in our industry towards regenerative design practices," "establish climate and biodiversity mitigation principles as the key measure of our industry’s success," and "upgrade existing buildings for extended use as a more carbon efficient alternative to demolition," among other goals. 

The founding signatories include: ARM Architecture, Koning Eizenberg Architecture, Taylor and Hinds Architects, and Woods Bagot.

The Australian rally comes as the Royal Institute of British Architects also joins the international declaration. In June, the American Institute of Architects passed its own resolution calling for "urgent and sustained climate action."

... Antonio Pacheco via Archinect - News http://bit.ly/319qh2G