CANNED LIFE |

Abstract

An environmental disaster surrounds us Our climate is constantly undergoing significant changes This essay explores the influence of climate change on the built environment to develop ways to comprehend environmental changes, increase awareness, and ultimately mitigate the impacts of the disaster ahead of us Through architectural design, environmental concerns ought to be addressed. Three factors influence the design and construction of buildings. The first one is how our architecture can be innovative in optimizing our current technologies to achieve high building performance The second one is how can we optimize our energy resources to fit the needs of our environment first, and how can we design our architecture to be satisfied with those optimized resources? The third one focuses on how we create architecture that would positively and intelligently adapt and change along with our rapidly changing climate These topics will be analyzed through various environmental, social, and cultural lens

Introduction

Architecture has more significance in peoples’ lives than most designers may believe It influences how we live, how we think, and how we see the world Today, the world has become a focal point for climate instability, one of the most pervasive global issues affecting our daily lives Human activity has been a significant factor in these recent environmental changes. Several questions may emerge from this

Can we combat global warming using our expertise, i.e., architecture?

It is crucial to emphasize the risks and consequences of climate change and how dangerous it is to live in a society where these issues are not addressed properly since environmental disaster is already occurring around us and disrupting our everyday life Architecture design briefs and statements, therefore, should include provisions that seek to raise awareness of climate change via data-collecting techniques and the study of the performances of created structures. As we are twenty years behind the objectives established in the Paris Agreements signed eight years ago, data and information are offered to engage architects, designers, and global citizens with the imminence and gravity of the situation (Falkner, 2016) Philosopher Antonio Gramsci once said, "Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will" (Antonini, 2019) urging us to perceive the world as it exists, not as we may like it. A world where utopian concepts are not viable solutions to our current problem. We must begin creating for the real world since only then can designs serve our planet and its inhabitants

THE REDEEMER FROM PRAGMATIC UTOPIAN ARCHITECTURE & THE REBIRTH OF THE UNCONTAMINATED EARTH

How does architecture alter our way of thinking about climate change ?

Causes and Effects: Overpopulation & Climate and Consumption

When making architectural plans, there are various factors to consider, most importantly sustainability in the broader sense, starting with energy, water, land, and biological resources. From start of time, explorers and settles exploring the world whipping out species and slaughter the ecosystem Moreover, “ The difference now is we’re knowingly doing this; it's just on a much larger scale” (Stevens, 2016) The number of humans sharing these resources is often underestimated, although being a crucial consideration. The increase of world population has risen from 1 billion in the 1800s to around 8 billion today (Roser et al 2013); over the past 50 years, the world population growth rate declined from around 2% per year to just under 1% per year (ibid), yet, the decrease in the percentage has not lessened the overpopulation impact on the climatic situation

Is the next lethal climatic disaster ready for release?

Strangely enough, climate change is our greatest hope for survival There is a universal agreement on the magnitude and pace of global warming, where 195 nations signed the report that the IPCC published regarding climate change, as well as the areas that will be most severely impacted and the future prediction (Melton 2018, Bremmer 2022)

Research published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology (Ivanova et al 2015) indicates that human consumptions account for more than two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions and between 60% and 70% of overall material, land, and water usage. This emphasizes the need to take responsibility for our actions as consumers and realize how habits impact the environment and accelerate climate change

WORSE & WORSE

In the Environmental Impact Assessment of Household Consumption, the research revealed that around 80% of the climatic effects resulting from consumption are not caused by direct practices such as overconsumption of water resources or driving a vehicle, as is often believed, but rather from the transport or production of these items. For example, the research demonstrates that the water used to produce frozen food is much more than the amount used for daily domestic activities The study concludes that the wealthier a nation is, the more influence its people have on the climate, since the wealthier its residents are, the more they buy things that have a detrimental impact on the environment (Ivanova et al 2015)

The situation humanity faces today requires a more flexible and adaptable approach The climate change, which might kill hundreds of millions, compels leaders to cooperate on information, costs, and obligations As a direct consequence of the European Green Deal's, unparalleled commitment to carbon-free energy, Europe has emerged as a worldwide leader in climate policy. The European Commission has effectively persuaded hesitant member states to support climate change by giving climate investment a greater priority in its budgets (Bremmer 2022)

The world's most significant polluters are China and the United States, as proven by the assurance presented by large firms (Stevens 2016 , Bremmer 2022) The highest percentage of greenhouse gas emissions per capita globally, with a total of 18 6 tons of CO2 equivalent to a carbon footprint produced by The United States. Researchers used this unit to illustrate the effects of several greenhouse gases This significant carbon footprint results from the dominance of the automotive sector as the primary mode of transportation The research revealed varying outcomes for specific nations, mirrored the electrical mix and fuel sources utilized to produce energy. For example, Norway, France, Sweden, and Japan have much smaller carbon footprints than other nations with similar economic levels when fossil fuels were used to create electricity instead of nuclear power Surprisingly, in nations such as Norway and Sweden, more than half of the environmental consequences were attributed to external imports, as fossil fuels were used to manufacture imported goods (Ivanova et al 2015) ``

Architecture And Climate Change

It is important to consider the DESIGN PROCESS to give sustainable architecture a new lease on life. Using various architectural and climatic philosophies, and comparing different historical periods illustrate how climate change has impacted architecture Despite the notion that technology comes with its costs, it nevertheless, has shown a green path to a more sustainable living. However, ecologically responsible design comes with a wide range of concerns and objectives The urban and rural design considers numerous climatic elements and manipulates the high-tech building process to generate architecture that is as environmentally friendly, green, and sustainable.

Environmental ethics has neglected the built environment and architectural design Thus, ethics and morality have yet to be discussed in a fast-expanding language of sustainability that emphasizes quantitative models of environmental innovation rather than environmental ideals Pragmatism may give an intellectual and moral framework for linking sustainability to building plan, erection, and utilization. Pragmatism's contextual diversity, focuses on experience and practice, and elevated esteem for the community's political value shifts the conversation fare from predetermined and universal ethical and technical standards Sustainable design is a "co-evolutionary" social activity involving many human and nonhuman constructing and using complex architectural artifacts (Farmer & Guy, 2010). Beyond the basic "how to" disputes, the goal is to deepen sustainable design practice via social or philosophical problematization The design should be reconsidered by researching sustainable structures in the plural

Architectural Design Options: Adaptive Architecture

Charles Darwin revolutionized not only biology but also man’s thoughts by claiming that "Adaptation is the evolutionary process whereby a population becomes better suited to its habitat This process takes place over many generations and is one of the basic phenomena of biology" (Darwin, 1859)

The term ‘a d a p t a t i o n’ describes an architectural item's physical and morphological alterations. These morphological alterations often the result of architecture's evolution in the social field, technical outcome, and industry Throughout history, several transformations have impacted the perception of how architecture is made and perceived The structural condition responds to the period in which the architectural objects develop and comprehended. These modifications are the consequence of adaptation to changing eras, societal standards, economic circumstances, the demands of the inhabitant, and climate conditions. The environmental changes occurring over a defined time length may be seen as a distinct factor that influences an architectural artifact and leads to local adaptation Thus, climatic changes that occur over a more extended period would generate forces altering the architecture throughout that time in order for the architectural item to pull through the changes and remain stable.

Carbon taxation?

Adaptation is regarded as an elongated process in architecture; It shapes and reshapes various ages and generations, with numerous advances in the human cognitive process, critical thinking abilities, technology, and economic support, all contributing to the architecture's flexibility The surrounding natural and climatic influences continuously affect the way of life These forces are in constant flux, with varying degrees and variations of dynamic variables. This impacts their lives by putting them in a perpetual state of change The architecture and the places we inhabit will inevitably undergo modification This transformation is swifter and more significant than the change our climate is experiencing For example, building skins consist of horizontal and vertical parts that shield the building from external environmental influences, preserve the comfort of the building's interiors, and provide structural support A building's outer skin provides stability, regulates air pressure, and shields the inside from bioclimatic variables such as heat, sunshine, wind, and precipitation. As they serve as a medium through which TECHNOLOGY may be incorporated into the building system to react and respond to changing climates, building skins are a crucial component in the research and investigation of adaptable architecture. Consequently, the primary properties of an efficient and robust building skin are its capacity to alter and respond to energy transmission across the building envelope through amplification, attenuation, regulation, entrapment, or rejection (Verma, 2013).

Conclusion

We, as architects and planners, need to focus on raising awareness among public at large by providing statements that shed light on climate change issues that architects should tackle Therefore, taking reference to the current research work done to cope with those issues and providing statements about the additional work architects should conduct to address and resolve before it is too late. Climate change is real; an important issue that can also be addressed politically by decision makers and influencers spreading awareness and delivering clear concrete advices The utopian movement continues to exist on a social, political, and technical level today. The utopian architecture was believed to be too ambitious and lacked the necessary level of detail to be constructed; it was seen as unrealistic However, the intent of bringing society together in all aspects is the intention we are all seeking. With the submission to the difficulties, people may feel more at ease to be informed that despite our obstacles, we can still do better Although the attempts of the great visionary have not gone in vain, it has become a vital tool and case study to look up to and learn and improve from. For example, releasing light bulbs and reusable bags may encourage individuals to buy energy-efficient products and use public transportation instead of driving (Stevens, 2016) The conscious awareness process made the public optimistic and comforted that their efforts would be recognized. It is essential for a broad movement for everyone to start to join the 2030 commitment that was adopted by the AIA, where all new constructions, developments, and major renovations should be carbon-neutral (Melton 2018) Then emphasize the significance of adapting and retrofitting existing buildings that do not fall as part of that challenge, how the materials for those buildings are a massive part of the carbon footprint of those buildings, and what we can do to reduce that footprint

Moreover, we must stress the importance of pursuing renewable energy resources, as other sources are bound to run out someday A solution could be also reconsidering our living and constructing methods that are approved to be disastrous.

What & how can we learn from the architectural history of adaptation?

Solar And Wind

Can the skin of a building for example not only provide for comfort but also for the energy needed in a building, thus leaving zero impact on the environment?

Free Energy Forever

We might as well need to reconsider evolution theory as not a straight line going always forward, but rather, a twisting and branching line showing a multitude of potentials and possibilities As a matter of fact, technological evolution backfired on our dreams of prosperity, health, and wealth and left the climate with unparalleled losses. Perhaps, we need to reconsider less technology and machines in our lives, and more passive energy and innovative zero-sum game ecological designs In short, the changes in human behavior (especially consumption), the advancement of technology (innovative green materials and techniques), and the adaptation and modification of space and architecture (socio-spatial-environmental elements) are vital for realizing an ecologically sustainable way of life