LAF Statement on the Green New Deal

The Landscape Architecture Foundation CEO Barbara Deutsch, FASLA, issued the following statement today in response to the proposed Green New Deal:

“We are heartened by the efforts of Congress and its committees to create innovative policies that move the United States toward the urgent goal of achieving a carbon neutral future by 2030, in line with the action demanded by the latest United Nations Climate Report. Through the thoughtful planning and design of landscapes that can adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change, implementation of green infrastructure, and codification of landscape performance requirements, the discipline of landscape architecture delivers high value in service of this bold declaration. The Landscape Architecture Foundation encourages Congress to move quickly to enact the policies necessary to meet the challenges we’re facing from climate change with timely, equitable action.”

The Landscape Architecture Foundation encourages landscape architects to answer the call to action laid out in our New Landscape Declaration and to seek commitment from those who share our concern. Our Action Plan offers ideas of concrete steps that can be taken to create places and systems that serve a higher purpose of social and ecological justice for all peoples and species.

Landscape solutions can account for more than 20% of the reduction in emissions necessary to achieve by 2030. The Landscape Carbon Calculator under development by LAF Fellow Pamela Conrad and set to be released later this year will further allow landscape architects to measure the impact of their projects and design carbon positive landscapes to contribute to the fight against climate change.

Visit LAF’s website for more information on the need for sustainable landscape solutions.