In the second session of this Autumn's Open Lecture Series, Andrew Shepherd, Professor of Earth Observation from the University of Leeds, gave a lecture on the climate emergency, specifically on the issue of ice melting and what ensues as a result of it.
Photograph from one of Andrew Shepherd's expeditions to Antarctica
One of the things which Shepherd explained was that it is only ice on land melting which affects sea levels, not floating sea ice. This facts gives little comfort when coupled with the next statements that he offered: that if all of Greenland's ice melted, sea levels would rise by 7m, and if all of Antarctica's ice melted, they would rise by 57m. Currently, he explained, the Earth is losing more than 1 trillion tonnes of ice per year, which is driving sea level rise, increased warming and increased flooding.
After explaining the science and stating many alarming facts such as these, Shepherd brought the lecture to a close by outlining the things which we can do to help counter the climate emergency, some personally, and some on a state/company level. These were:
The electrification of things which currently using fossil fuels (and the generation of this electricity not being derived from fossil fuels).
Following a plant-based/vegan diet.
Flying less.
Planting trees.
Voting for parties which have strong environmental policies and will follow through on them.
Protesting against companies, governments and events which are harmful to the environment.
Ice Flows: The Game – an example, which Andrew Shepherd referenced, of an initiative which aims to raise awareness and educate people on the pressing issue of ice melting and its severe consequences
This lecture was important in reinforcing to all of the architectural students in the room just how serious and urgent the climate issues facing us are, and that we all have a personal responsibility to help tackle it. We are all aware that the construction industry is a substantial producer of carbon emissions, and therefore we need every architectural choice that we make to bear this in mind.
In terms of my design thesis project, it emphasises the need for it to be developed with the environment at the forefront. This means carefully considering material choices to reduce embodied energy, and taking advantage of any opportunities for employing passive or sustainable technological strategies and carbon sequestration that are possible.
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