Stakeholder Release
26 August 2019
Landscape Architects Declare Climate and Biodiversity Loss Emergency
The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) has declared a Climate and Biodiversity Loss Emergency.
The declaration comes in response to the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report which stated humanity has just 12 years to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Read the full Declaration here.
"AILA has declared this emergency to add further focus and attention to the issues the planet is facing,” said AILA President, Shaun Walsh.
"Advocating for more action on climate change isn’t a new thing for AILA but we feel it is important we add to the voice of other organisations and groups who have made similar declarations. We know that our members are passionate about the topic and we’re reiterating that we have a significant role to play in causing change.”
“The response to the declaration requires a collective approach. AILA will increase work with members, government and non-government agencies to accelerate the broad community needed in response to this issue.”
“We all need to take an immediate and proactive look at what else we can do. Not enough action has been taken to date."
AILA’s Declaration includes an action plan which commits to providing more leadership to better support the profession address the issue.
“It is a massive task but I think our members and other landscape architects across the globe are up to the challenge of working with governments and the community to take immediate action."
AILA made the announcement just weeks after releasing the Green Infrastructure Position Statement which called on non-government agencies, industry organisations and governments at all levels to make significant progress towards improving the liveability and sustainability of urban and regional settlements through Green Infrastructure.
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Available for comment:
Shaun Walsh,
AILA President
Tim Arnold,
AILA CEO
For more information contact:
Tim Arnold
Chief Executive Officer
E [email protected]
T 0419 109 340