The Climate Reality Project - Australia & Pacific’s Post

Join us as Kent State’s KSU Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative hosts Brett KenCairn for his lecture "Climate Action as if the Earth Mattered: Restoring Living Systems as the Essential Foundation to Solving the Polycrises we Face" in-person at the CUDC and livestream on Zoom Friday, Sept 27 from 12 PM - 1 PM. Zoom link: https://lnkd.in/gdv4xt89 We have known since the early 1970s that there were two fundamental causes of climate destabilization—fossil fuel combustion and land degradation. Over the past several decades, the role of land degradation has been largely forgotten in the focus on carbon accounting and energy systems change. Current climate action strategies will inevitably fail unless we reestablish a global-scale focus on restoring the more than 70% of the Earth’s living systems that have been deeply degraded—both in natural, working and urban lands. The good news is that we have examples of large-scale initiatives of this sort that can achieve remarkable regenerative results in the scale of just a few decades. In this talk, we will walk through the limitations to current climate action approaches and outline a broader strategy that can serve as the foundation for both climate stabilization (and a number of other aspects of the “polycrisis”) and a community redevelopment strategy that can stabilize both urban and rural communities both here and abroad. #kentstate #caed #lecture

🌍 🏙 As urbanization accelerates across the cities, sustainable building practices are critical to combat climate change. How can wood-based construction play a key role in reducing the carbon footprint of urban development in the face of climate change? #SustainableConstruction #ClimateChangeSolutions #UrbanDevelopment #WoodConstruction #GreenBuilding

Join us for this webinar on Thursday, October 31st, #WorldCitiesDay to understand how the Systems Change Lab data on cities and the built environment can inform and galvanize your work! #SystemsChangeLab is a collaborative initiative and #opensource #data platform designed to spur action at the pace and scale needed to tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges: limiting #globalwarming to 1.5°C, halting #biodiversity loss, and building a just #economy. #Cities are often seen as a "system of systems" where other systems -- including #buildings, #land, #energy, #water, #sanitation, #waste management, and #transportation -- integrate, resulting in economies of scale and trade-offs; where built and natural infrastructure come together; where the consumption of resources and environmental impacts like pollution are concentrated, but so are economic opportunities. Inequalities in access to resources and services, lack of finance, and misalignment between national and city actors remain difficult challenges, but cities are a critical lever to meet global development and climate goals. With wide input from experts, we focus on three key "shifts" and over 20 #urban outcome indicators that can be tracked at global and national levels. Congratulations to WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities colleagues Maeve Hogel Weston and Vijay Jagannathan for the lion's share of work on this, with support from Ted Wong, Eric Mackres, Schuyler Null, Tini Tran and other World Resources Institute colleagues Rachel Jetel, Leandro Vigna, Irene Berman-Vaporis, Brynne Wilcox! Excited about this event and proud of this work! Rogier van den Berg Melanie Robinson Ani Dasgupta https://lnkd.in/d8j77ncZ

This beautiful image, taken in the heart of London's financial district, serves as a powerful reminder of the need for harmony between urban development and nature—a concept aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The green, plant-covered statue amidst the serene fountain and lush trees symbolizes #SDG15: Life on Land, which focuses on sustainably managing forests, combating desertification, halting and reversing land degradation, and halting biodiversity loss. In the context of a bustling business hub like the #London Bank area, this scene invites reflection on how urban spaces can integrate green infrastructure, supporting both environmental sustainability and human well-being. It’s a visual representation of the potential for sustainable cities to foster a balance between economic progress (#SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth) and environmental stewardship. As businesses and institutions rethink their role in addressing climate change, let this image inspire more green initiatives and partnerships that align with the global goals for a better, more sustainable future. EmpVic Research Public Health Solutions is happy to witness this initiative! #SustainableDevelopment #UNSDGs #GreenCities #LifeOnLand #ClimateAction #SustainabilityInBusiness

🌆🌿 How can cities and buildings transform to meet the needs of people and planet? 👫🏽🌍 Our cities and built environments have profound impacts on quality of life, climate change and biodiversity. Join our #WorldCitiesDay webinar with #SystemsChangeLab, "Cities and Buildings in Transition," for a deep dive into urban sustainability with experts from WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, World Green Building Council, UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme), Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) and more. Hear about: • How cities impact #ClimateChange and biodiversity • Strategies for sustainable #UrbanDevelopment • The interconnections between urban systems • Innovations in #building design and city planning Join the conversation on urban resilience and the future of #cities — reserve your spot now ➡️ https://bit.ly/3BJafnQ

Urban planning and urban design have a critical role to play in the global response to climate change. Actions that simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and build resilience to climate risks should be prioritized at all urban scales – metropolitan region, city, district/neighborhood, block, and building. This needs to be done in ways that are responsive to and appropriate for local conditions.

In this course, I explored the key determinants of urban health, including demography, climate change, air pollution, noise, transport systems, public and green spaces, and policies and investments that affect the sense of community and public safety. I gained a historical overview of major trends in urban planning and engage with various stakeholders who will share innovative, people-centered approaches to creating sustainable solutions. More than half of the world's population now lives in cities, a significant increase from just 5% in the 18th century. This rapid urbanization has led to challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, physical inactivity, gentrification, air pollution, and a rise in the number of slum dwellers, all of which impact the health and wellbeing of urban residents. Addressing climate change within this context requires targeted mitigation and adaptation investments. According to Sustainable Development Goal 11, adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015, it is crucial for societies to lead in the ongoing management and design of urban spaces to ensure cities and human settlements are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. #sustainabledevelopment #UNSDG #urbanization #health

🎤 In just two weeks, I’ll be stepping onto the stage at the PIA State Conference to dive deep into the Sustainable Subdivisions Framework and explore the key takeaways WA can glean from Victoria’s trial. 🎤 I’m stoked to be presenting at the Challenge 1 session, titled 'We are in a Climate Emergency - How do we move the built environment of WA towards responsible climate-conscious development?' I'll be presenting the session alongside some great topics from Bill Grace, Maassoumeh Barghchi, Anthony Denholm, Emily Crosby, Iain Roy and Barbara Meldrum. 👏 With WA at a crossroads—amidst the imminent review of the Liveable Neighbourhoods policy, a surge in ESD local planning policies, new state climate legislation, and heightened public interest in issues such as housing affordability, urban tree canopy and even roof colours —there’s never been a more crucial time to learn from innovative approaches like the Sustainable Subdivisions Framework. Come along and hear how WA’s local and state planning policy frameworks can evolve to support urban development that addresses the climate, biodiversity, and human health crises.🌍 https://lnkd.in/gZ6rjGN2 #ClimateConciousPlanning #SustainableCities #ClimateEmergency #PlannersDeclare #UrbanPlanning, Dean Webster, Vicki Lummer RPIA (Fellow), Planning Institute of Australia, Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE)

Miami as an urban landscape is on the precipice of enormous change as we see more developers and clients embrace mixed-use projects. Here, I examine how experience-driven districts like Wynwood Plaza and 545wyn blend live, work, and play to improve connectivity, champion climate resilience, and invigorate neighborhoods. The blog explores how these districts can authentically infuse Miami’s dynamic culture while adopting innovative approaches to address climate resilience. Check out the full article on https://lnkd.in/eGnbc7cp.

Welcome to this ever relevant conversation, where I will be a panelist at the upcoming United Green Movement Party Cocktail on Climate Change and the Built Environment. As an architect and green building expert, I believe professionals and intellectuals have a responsibility to champion social justice—particularly as it relates to the urgent global challenge of climate change. The built environment is central to this dialogue. Our cities, homes, and infrastructure are more than just physical spaces—they are reflections of equity and sustainability. Marginalized communities, who often have the least access to resources, bear the brunt of climate impacts. As such, it's imperative that we, as architects and urban planners, design for resilience and inclusive development. In this regard, I’m inspired by scholars like David Harvey, who argues that spatial justice is intertwined with economic and environmental justice, and Amartya Sen, whose work on capability theory reminds us that climate change limits the freedoms and opportunities of vulnerable populations. I look forward to discussing how professionals in the built environment can lead the charge in creating sustainable, climate-responsive urban spaces that safeguard the future for all Kenyans. Join me in this conversation as we explore how intellectual leadership can amplify the voice of the masses in the fight for environmental justice. #Sustainability #ClimateChange #BuiltEnvironment #GreenBuilding #SocialJustice #ArchitectureForAll #ClimateAction #UnitedGreenMovement #Kenya #EquityInDesign #ClimateResponsiveArchitecture