CIBSE President Elect, Fiona Cousins, delivered a compelling TEDx talk at the end of last year, exploring the intricate connections between society's major challenges and their implications for the built environment. Titled 'Driving climate action through design and hope,' Fiona delved into the complex nature of addressing climate change, social equity, and biodiversity in engineering.
As an engineer well-versed in crafting carbon-intensive, expensive, and long-lasting infrastructure, she acknowledged the problem that arises in balancing these three critical facets. In her talk, she emphasised that navigating this challenge requires a shift in perspective – an approach that recognises every design decision as a pivotal factor influencing climate change, social equity, and biodiversity.
With a focus on the symbiotic relationship between design and sustainability, Fiona urged the audience to consider the far-reaching consequences of their work. Her talk emphasised the need for engineers to adopt practices that contribute to the betterment of society, demonstrating that responsible design choices can indeed drive meaningful climate action.
Her TEDx talk stands as a testament to her commitment to inspire and mobilise the engineering community towards a future where design not only solves problems but actively contributes to a more sustainable, equitable, and biodiverse world.
Watch her full TEDx talk below: