Stock Market Architecture
I found this John Vidal article interesting. It is example of centralised systems causing unbeknown suffering to people on the other side of the world. In this case it is speculation on food markets, but it did make me think about my own share portfolio and what impact a simple trade on the Internet could have on other people's lives. Carbon trading is creating an interesting new sustainable source of investment and having worked with the founder of a carbon credit trading business ten years ago I have no doubt this market will grow rapidly.
The cause and effect relationship hasn't been fully realized in our globalised society despite the prevalence of sensor technology and the Internet to share information. I would like to see more whole life costing analysis of products we specify which would give a clearer idea of their true 'green' credentials from cradle to grave. From an architectural perspective carbon trading will provide massive investment into renewable technologies but I hope it will also create a greater awareness of cause and effect relationships to make more than just architecture sustainable.

