INSTITUTE FOR ARCHITECTURE ADAPTED TO CLIMATE CHANGE
IAACC MANIFESTO
Our goals and our work are based on basic values, rules and premises, without which it would not be possible to ensure the meaningful direction of our journey towards the common goal of preparing our homes, streets, cities, country, society and citizens for climate change.
Basic principles of IAACC work
1
We base our opinions on scientific evidence.
We are experts, professionals and academics who base their opinions and claims on scientific knowledge, opinions of experts respected in the scientific community, and verified evidence. Although our approaches may clash with existing social norms, legal regulations and technical standards, our goal is not to destabilize the system, but to support flexible adaptation of legislation to new knowledge and climate challenges.
2
We are focused on applicable solutions.
We believe that it is essential to introduce new global and long-term measures to mitigate the effects of climate change. However, we focus on adaptation strategies that help communities and individuals manage these changes and build resilience to them in the short and medium term at the individual, community, local and national levels.
3
We are pragmatically optimistic.
We approach the issue of climate change, adaptation and mitigation measures with optimism and at the same time with common sense and awareness of technological possibilities. We emphasize the need for a balanced approach, critical thinking and an effort to prevent excessive technological optimism. We believe that the reassessment and transformation of the way of thinking and functioning of society in relation to consumption and energy requirements is an integral part of adaptation and mitigation strategies.
4
We are apolitical.
We do not agree that mitigation and adaptation should be perceived as topics of some political or ideological spectrum.
We see the need for adaptation to climate change as a challenge to new life attitudes and questions of security.
We deliberately avoid ideological conflicts and encourage harmonious discussion. We condemn any manifestations of extremism, and we see the split in society as one of the obstacles to society's adaptation to climate change.
5
We are open to cooperation.
We seek solutions for adaptation strategies through collaboration with all who are willing and able to contribute. We work with people who are willing to listen and respect other opinions and to compromise for the sake of common goals. We perceive differences of opinion as a space for constructive discussion and we do not accept heated conflict as a form of social interaction. We also believe that the development of adaptation strategies should be based on cooperation and the search for common themes rather than competition and the search for themes that divide us.
1. Climate change, or the impact of human activity on climate change, is a scientific fact and not an unfounded opinion.
2. Reducing the effects of climate change is an essential strategy for the long-term sustainability of civilization.
3. In the coming decades, we will face irreversible climate changes that will significantly affect the life, health and safety of individuals and society.
4. It is not correct to call the negative effects of extreme manifestations of weather and natural elements on people as flood, tornado, drought, etc. natural disasters, since it is not a disaster for nature, but for man, his activity and needs. While mitigation is the reduction of the impact of human activity on nature and climate change, the goal of adaptation is the reduction of the impact of climate change on humans, their activities and needs.
5. For the sake of its own security, society must adapt to climate change.
6. It is important that the adaptation of dwellings, homes, communities, settlements and the landscape to climate change is considered a right of the citizens of the Slovak Republic and at the same time an obligation of the legislature, government, public administration and self-government. These entities should prepare, ensure and support the implementation of adaptation strategies at the individual, community and state level as quickly as possible.
7. We need not only large theoretical adaptation plans on a global scale, but mainly strategies and adaptation measures applicable on a national, local and individual scale.
8. Mitigation, which includes reducing demands on energy and resource consumption, is a basic prerequisite for successful adaptation. However, the positive results of successful mitigation measures will manifest themselves in a very long-term time horizon, while we must adapt now to the climate changes that are already underway. Therefore, in the case of decision-making, it is important that measures aimed at adaptation have priority over mitigation measures, if necessary.
9. Adaptation and mitigation solutions can be successfully applied within the technological possibilities of humanity, but it is necessary that this process be accompanied by a change in thinking, a reevaluation of priorities, value attitudes and an overall change in the lifestyle of society, social groups and individuals.
10. Mitigation measures of global reach still do not come in sufficient quantity or in adequate time. The application of adaptation measures cannot wait. On the contrary, it is necessary to immediately apply these measures at the individual, local and regional level.
11. Transparent and fair governance is a fundamental prerequisite for society's ability to adapt to climate change, as adaptation measures require efficient and effective use of public funds. One of the first steps in adaptation measures should be the enforcement of zero tolerance towards corruption.
12. Effective adaptation measures are often not universal solutions. It is important that they are designed with local threats and opportunities in mind, taking into account socio-economic conditions and adapted to different levels of scale from individual houses to communities, settlements and entire countries.
13. The goal of adaptation measures is the sustainability of civilization, an integral part of which is cultural heritage. In this context, cultural heritage requires a specific protection model that will respect the preserved values. The essence of this strategy is not only the protection, but also the increase of the societal significance of the cultural heritage and the strengthening of the legacy for future generations.
14. Successful adaptation to climate change requires effective protection of resources, decentralization of control and ownership of these resources, and achievement of energy self-sufficiency at various levels from national to local and individual.
15. Mental health and combating climate anxiety is also an integral part of climate change adaptation. An active adaptation process helps reduce the extent of climate anxiety.
16. The main goal of adaptation measures is to maximally protect the individual and society from the consequences of climate change. The basic needs of personal and civil security take priority over free choice if the result of that choice is an obvious threat to security.
17. Extreme differences in political opinions, ideologies and religions, as well as the extremist behavior of various political, ideological and religious groups, which are unwilling to back down from their positions and refuse constructive debate, represent a significant challenge for adaptation to climate change. These groups and individuals create and maintain irreconcilable conflicts, which hinder cooperation and threaten the security of society and individuals in the context of climate change.
18. Adaptation measures must be implemented without delay. Experience clearly shows us that laws and legislative standards cannot adapt quickly enough to technological, social and climate changes. It is therefore ethically acceptable to request and propose adaptation measures that precede legislative requirements, as long as the relevant laws and standards cannot adequately take into account the current situation in relation to climate change and do not ensure sufficient protection of the individual and society against current threats.
19. Adaptation to climate change must be seen primarily as a moral obligation. It is a commitment to create safe conditions for the life of future generations to the best of our knowledge and conscience. Economic and technical aspects become important only in the second place.
20. Reducing the number of newborns is not a simple solution to climate change, especially in countries where natural population growth is stagnant or even negative. Children are a reason to adopt adaptation and mitigation measures; they are our future and hope. One of the most appropriate ways to solve climate change is to provide children with long-term health, quality education and help them build the right value orientations, moral principles and an acceptable, healthy lifestyle.
21. It is the duty of the professional public to learn about the topics of adaptation to climate change, to educate and inform the public about the current and future consequences of climate change and related possible adaptation measures.
22. Adaptation strategies that focus on energy conservation and use natural physical phenomena in the design of buildings, communities and settlements are important and should be prioritized over technological solutions to obtain "green" energy. These strategies make it possible to function even without the need for machine technology and equipment.