UNIT 4 | CLIMATE CHANGE, FROM ACTIVISM TO GOVERNANCE

MATTHEW WOODTHORPE, YORGOS LOIZOS AND BEN CORRIE

Climate change is one of the most important issues of the generation. This year has seen the rise of climate change activism as an effective methodology and major influence on civil society and government. Activism comes in many forms, ranging from the civil disobedience and disruptor tactics of ‘Extinction Rebellion’ or raising awareness of the refugee crisis through art and community engagement. If the purpose of activism is to raise awareness and effect change in policy and thinking, then successful activism creates the policy for civil society. In so doing, the activist becomes the government.

Our work as an Architect, in creating the spaces and places for human habitation, has an important part to play in influencing how humans will coexist with the environment. Architecture is, however, not commonly seen as a vehicle for outward activism. Unit 4 explores this.