The International Union of Architects (UIA) announced on June 8 that the theme of this year’s World Day of Architecture is achieving zero carbon dioxide emissions. In choosing this theme, the UIA is calling on architects’ capacity to reduce carbon dioxide emissions drastically in the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings and cities. Because almost half of the emissions of this greenhouse-effect producing gas comes from the construction and transportation sectors, the UIA notes, mobilization of the world’s architects is crucial. Several UIA Member Sections already have joined the efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. World Architect Day is celebrated on October 1, concurrently with the United Nations’ World Habitat Day. The UIA aims to highlight architects’ awareness of the current ecological emergency and invites all its member sections to organize programs on this theme for the first of October. For more information, visit the UIA Web site.