Poetry, Architecture and Climate Change

Last week, Amanda Gorman was one of many who made history. As the first national Youth Poet Laureate, Gorman, 22, was also the youngest poet to deliver the presidential inaugural poem, which she finished after the Capitol riot weeks before.

See link for video and full text: Amanda Gorman, The Hill We Climb: Kottke.org

I watched mesmerized by this woman’s inspiring and hopeful words, so carefully crafted, so wonderfully performed – building a space of connection between people.

She has and continues to use her words to advocate for issues she is passionate about, including climate change – a central issue and focus of AIA National in the last few years.

In 2018 for The Climate Reality Project, Gorman recited a poem she created based on photos from astronauts on the Apollo 8 of the earth rising over the moon. She speaks of a commitment to care for our earth, “to give next generations the planet they deserve.” As architects, we are called be stewards of Earth’s finite resources as we build for the health, safety, and welfare of all humankind. See below for her recitation of this poem. Enjoy.

The time is Now, Now, Now.

Climate change is real, it is urgent, and architects have the ability to make an immense difference in mitigating and adapting to its impacts. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) calls on architects around the world to support humanity’s collective call to climate action through an unrelenting commitment to sustainable and resilient design

See AIA’s Climate Action Plan along with resources to support its implementation and asking all architects and our collaborators to join us in the fight for our future.

Read AIA’s Where We Stand statement on climate action.

One Reply to “Poetry, Architecture and Climate Change”

  1. Gov Kristi Noem signed an executive order to merge SDDA and DENR. She didn’t consult with ag groups or land conservation groups. Clean air, clean water, wildlife will be deteriorate because of this dangerous move.

    Only two states have combined AG and Environmental agencies (Alaska & Rhode Island). Those states have AG production in the low millions, while SD talks to over $10 Billion in AG production.

    Taxpayers stand to save less than half a million doors in this merger, mostly through combining currently vacant inspection positions with other very different duties. We have a hard time hiring now; will that situation improve when we double the workload?

    DENR is not just about AG Inspection, it’s also about protecting our municipal drinking water and rivers and lakes, as well as safeguarding water from toxic mining impacts.

    States like South Dakota with large agricultural economies need and deserve a Departure of Agriculture whose sole focus is advocating for all of our diverse producers and addressing their needs and challenges.

    DENR should advise, regulate and enforce practices that protect public health and South Dakota’s natural resources for current use and for tomorrow.

    A “one-stop shop” is unacceptable. South Dakota is a beautiful place, and this merge will risk too much. Please contact your state legislators to STOP the merger!

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