And so it begins
And so it begins...
I was driving home from work this week listening to one of my fav bands, I subconsciously started singing along…..
It has to start somewhere
It has to start sometime
What better place then here?
What better time than now?
The reflection begun, it has to start and we are running out of time; so here I am presenting to the intergoogleweb of the world, myself and Twenty Two Bricks.
1. My why
The construction, operation and maintenance of our buildings contribute around a quarter of all greenhouse gases (GHG) 1 in Australia alone. In 2022 the Australian Government has committed to reducing our GHG emissions by a whopping 43% below our 2005 emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050.2 This is no small feat and these goals cannot be achieved through carbon credit schemes alone.
I have worked professionally within the built environment for 15 years, and in this time I continue to see reluctance and hesitation to build in a way that better serves people and planet. The building industry is notorious for lacking in innovation and willingness to change. This obsolescent approach to creating our built environment is impacting our ability to fast track solutions that reduce the impact on our planet.
Although this reluctance exists, people are becoming increasingly aware of climate change and its impacts. The annual Ipsos Climate Change Report in 2022, showed that 83% of Australians are concerned about climate change, and 67% of Australians feel a responsibility to act and do something about it. This report also showed that Australian’s are leading the way with solar panel installation.3
I know of and have witnessed the innovation and opportunity for change in this industry, yet applying sustainable principles to the built environment can be considered, a nice to have, afforded by the privileged or the courageous. This is partly due to the gap in knowing what is possible and achievable, and an even bigger gap between knowledge and action.
2. Building better homes for the 22nd Century
The fact is, our choices of this Century will impact the next Century, and children born today will live and experience the 22nd Century. Whilst it can be overwhelming, there are options available. Twenty Two Bricks will bring you information and knowledge distilled into easy to understand format so you can learn and take action toward changes, big or small, that will have a lasting and positive impact on our planet.
Twenty Two Bricks is about closing the gap between knowledge and action by empowering you, the everyday person, to make choices that will positively impact the home you live in, this planet included.
I want to cut through the greenwashing, disinformation and misinformation to provide you access to information and knowledge of the sustainable options available for the home you live in whether you rent or bought your home.
3. The game plan
Whilst I work away in the background wrangling technology, I will be sharing, discussing, comparing, celebrating and challenging all things sustainability within the built environment through my newsletter here.
I want to hear from you; have you been on a sustainability journey building or renovating your home? are you just looking for ways to have less impact? what do you want to know more about?, what pisses you off?, what experience was amazing and everyone should know about?
I want to know about it.
Whether we like it or accept it, change is coming and this change is deeply necessary. But this is a journey that is shared, and I want to empower you to make informed and impactful decisions that contribute towards a better 22nd Century.
Lets spark curiosity of what can be possible as there are already so many inspiring people in Australia doing incredible work.
Because our choices today, impact everyone's tomorrows.
Hit me up at tamara@twentytwobricks to chat or tell me if you know the band and song name of the lyrics.
https://theconversation.com/buildings-produce-25-of-australias-emissions-what-will-it-take-to-make-them-green-and-wholl-pay-105652#:~:text=Consider%20the%20impact%20of%20one,more%20buildings%20will%20be%20needed.
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/about/news/climate-change-bill-2022#:~:text=The%20Australian%20Government%20has%20introduced,and%20net%20zero%20by%202050.
https://www.ipsos.com/en-au/8-10-australians-are-concerned-about-climate-change#:~:text=The%20annual%20Ipsos%20Climate%20Change,and%20up%20from%2056%25%20in