Over the past few years, in the context of increasingly stark warnings from the world's scientific community, we have witnessed a remarkable awakening to the climate and ecological crisis. This has manifested in the architectural profession through the emergence of initiatives such as Architects Declare and Architects Climate Action Network (ACAN), in addition to moves at an institutional level from the ARB and RIBA.

 The profession has increasingly acknowledged the impact of construction, with terms like embodied carbon entering common parlance. For the green architecture movement, the long wilderness years seem to be drawing to a close.

 These developments have triggered many discussions about the role and agency of architects in addressing the critical challenges of our time. Where does our responsibility begin and end? To what extent can we make destructive brief better? Is it even possible to achieve systemic change within our current cultural and economic structures? 

 In this talk, Studio Bark's Tom Bennett will share his journey through the world of climate activism and environmental architecture, exploring some ways in which these pursuits diverge and intersect. The talk will focus-in on aspects of Studio Bark's work and efforts within the profession, in addition to ways of building outwards and connecting to movements for social and environmental justice. More of a provocation than an all-encompassing proposal, the talk orbits around the fundamental question of what our role can be in bringing about the far-reaching systemic change that is needed to confront the great challenges of this moment.