Rufus Black gave a provoking address at the Architecture Symposium in which he called on architects to commit to concrete targets to reduce our impact on the environment.

In early March, as part of The Architecture Symposium: Ideas from the Fringe, Rufus Black, vice chancellor of The University of Tasmania, gave a provoking address to the audience, stating that the architectural profession is simply not ambitious enough when it comes to reducing our impact in the destruction of the planet, "Architects Declare isn't nearly enough… Architects should be committing to concrete targets." he proclaimed.

Heavy hitting statements about the trajectory and acceleration of climate change were backed with data fuelled evidence, "…buildings are responsible for 39 percent of global energy related carbon emissions […] we need to do more" Black said.

Reiterated in his address was a need to change the model and how as a collective, we can solve the problem. 'We can't leave it up to international government agreements, we simply won't get there. It will require actions from community and professions to get the [greenhouse gas emissions] on a different trajectory'.

His speech rallied for a call to urgent action, a call to reflect on our architectural process, decisions and awards and above all, a call for courage.

Watch Rufus Black's full address below.