Build like the future depends on it.
THREE NEAT THINGS
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ISSUE 096 | September 2025
Last Sunday was National Threatened Species Day - a sobering reminder that over 100 Australian species are extinct, including 1 in 10 land mammals. We have one of the worst extinction rates in the developed world, with more than 2,200 species and ecological communities now officially listed as threatened.
The built environment plays a significant role in this crisis. Construction drives 30% of biodiversity loss, 40% of waste, and 40% of global carbon emissions. Yet even our highest-performing buildings - 10-star homes and certified Passivhaus projects - can still destroy habitat, clear bushland, and bury topsoil under concrete.
But here's the opportunity: 60% of tomorrow's cities haven't been built yet. We have a once-in-a-generation chance to bake nature back into development from the foundations up.
That's why I've completely reimagined Business of Biodiversity. Previous iterations cast a wide net, but this version is laser-focused on Australia's built environment professionals - architects, builders, developers, and sustainability managers who are already committed to high-performance, low-impact design.
Through data gathered via the waitlist, I'm discovering that most businesses in our sector care deeply about nature but don't know where to start. They're time-poor, worried about complexity, and already juggling carbon targets. The solution isn't another overwhelming framework - it's practical, flexible guidance that builds on the sustainability work they're already doing.
Every building either takes from nature or gives back to it. It's time we designed more that give back. Join the movement with me below.
Thanks for reading.
Marnie x
1
The new Business of Biodiversity
The built environment drives 30% of biodiversity loss, but it could be our most powerful solution.
Be part of a community shaping a framework that makes it simple for the built environment to become nature-positive.
Join the waitlist to secure priority access to workshops, resources and connect with peers.
2
Art for Animals
Sunday marked National Threatened Species Day - commemorating the last Tasmanian tiger's death in 1936 and highlighting Australia's 2,000+ threatened species.
While we can't bring back the thylacine, we can support the wildlife carers working tirelessly to protect what remains.
Every purchase from my Prints for Wildlife series directly supports these frontline heroes caring for injured and orphaned native animals.
3
Building for floods and fires
When passivhaus builder Jesse Glascott found a flood and bushfire-prone site in Warrandyte, he saw opportunity where others saw obstacles.
Featured in the September issue of Country Style magazine, his family home demonstrates how to build for Australia's changing climate.
His approach: elevate above flood levels, use fire-resistant materials, capture rainwater, and integrate recycled materials. The result? A home that works with its environment, not against it.
