Climate Change my life?

Thank you!

2010-01-27T19:39:00.000-08:00

The Climate Change My Life team would like to thank everyone who has participated in this small flash mob research project.

An conclusion has been made and is currently being discussed. When final a summary will be posted here, and link to the the full article.

Read about the project here

and see list of participating Countries here

Enjoy!

Denmark (Interviews made 18th dec 2009)

2010-01-27T19:30:00.000-08:00

Male. Age 63. Music teacher/ musician, Århus, Denmark.

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? I think that the weather is becoming more extreme. And it also affects me emotionally as I am thinking of the future of my nine grandchildren.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? This might be draughts and flooding.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? One has to do something about it! I am not a saint myself, but we need to start thinking about how we act. Common things like driving less car etc.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

I believe that we need to insulate buildings better.

Male. Age 59. Roofer, Århus, Denmark

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? No, but it will probably affect me in the future.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? Cutting trees/ uncontrolled forestry.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? Yes. One has to start acting more responsibly. Driving less in car, saving electricity and so on. All these commodities we uses because one is a lazy bastard affects the climate.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

Improve insulation in buildings, reduce energy needs on heating and reduce use of electricity. There is no need for air conditioning at all.

Female. Age 47. Nurse, Århus, Denmark.

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Not yet, but in the long run it probably will because of CO2 emissions.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? CO2 emissions and lack of fuel.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? Yes for sure. We have started to think of the balance between comfort and unnecessary pollution. We have two cars, so we have become aware about the problems this is causing, but it is really difficult to change ones habits, and what one sees as a necessity. We should have learned something from the oil crisis of the 70s.

I also have started to try to reduce water and electricity use. E.g. when making food, now I could prefer to do something that takes 20min on the stove instead of baking something for several hours in the oven.

But I find it a bit far out on my personal level to start considering the impact of the farting from a cow and stuff like this.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? Geothermal heat should be utilized and better insulation of buildings to prevent loosing heat. Also solar energy should be used much broader in general.

Female. Age 24. Journalism student, Århus, Denmark

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? No, not really.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? Probably CO2 emissions.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? Yes. I try to save electricity, water etc. I also bike and don’t really feel that I need a car. Actually I think one should just follow general advice.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? Insulate buildings better is my first thought on this.

Male. Age 51. Advertisement consultant, Århus, Denmark.

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? Only consciously, nothing beside of what I see on TV.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? That the earth is out of balance. To much human exploitation.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? Yes. We need to grow understanding of the problems and taking responsibility. Turn of the light and other commonly known and simple stuff.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? Energy friendly housing, through well thought through use of different materials and as much as possible recycling.

CLIMATE CHANGE my life?

2009-12-14T08:54:00.000-08:00

A number of people around the world were asked a few questions about their view upon climate and climate change. They were all asked in the weekend just before COP15, The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen started.

Asking the questions the same day made the preconditions similar to any interviewee. Limiting influence of the answers with some global issue occurring in-between every interview.

It is a study to hear the voice of those who are not necessary taking part in the climate debate. People who maybe have no chance, or interest, in participating in such a discussion. The focus is opinions not coming from official sources, politicians, NGO's, bloggers, researchers etc.

The study will continue throughout the climate change conference and in this step we also ask anyone with interest in the subject to participate and answer the asked questions. The asked questions, and a further description can be found here.

Please write your country of origin when you answer the questions. Thank you.

Participating countries

2009-12-14T08:43:00.000-08:00

Following interviews are listed alphabetically by country.

Australia

2009-12-14T08:36:00.000-08:00

Male. Lawyer, Australia

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? No.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? Farmers, low lying communities etc.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? No personal responsibility, industry and governments need to make the change.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? Greener energy, greener products, less over-population.

Brazil

2009-12-13T10:19:00.000-08:00

Female. Age 36. Sales. São Paulo, Brazil

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes, I have heard about it!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? Yes, I suffer from the consequences of the increase in temperature in my daily life.

Excessive rains (flooding and landslides), overheating (occurring droughts and in the cities we have serious problems with the water supply), increased cost of living because of the scarce commodities, health problems because of elevation in air pollution (respiratory problems and allergies) and ultra violet rays by increasing the hole in the ozone layer (reduction of the immune defense, problems with skin cancer and eye diseases).

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? There is a problem more severe than the other in this case.

The deforestation and burning of fossil fuel are equally serious.

Today I have more knowledge about it so it makes me responsible too. I know the causes both the direct and indirect ones.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? Today my contribution is to change my daily behavior.

Using the car less, using less products that harm the nature and educate my children to be aware of the environment.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? In our society the cities, seal the soil, the vast flow of fuel burning vehicles and factories emit more pollutants, it affects the atmosphere directly.

To change this you need a new concept of modern society, changing lifestyle habits and educate the next generations. We must use all technologies in favor of environmental preservation.

Relearning to live.

Indonesia

2009-12-13T09:53:00.000-08:00

Male. Age 35, Rick-shaw, Indonesia

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] No

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? Yes, season has changed these last years rather unexpectedly.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? Typhoons, floods.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? No.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? I don’t really understand, but surely there are technologies to improve climate or to reduce the impact of built environment on our climate.

Female. Age 84. retiree, Indonesia

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] No.

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? Yes, days are getting warmer, I think.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? Heavy rains and draught.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? If I could, I will.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? Is there a connection between the two? Well, if there is, surely some clever engineers should create better structures for the sake of the environment.

Female. Age 40, House maid, Indonesia

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] No!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? I think so. Seasons are no longer predictable. A lot of crops in my village were destroyed this year.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? Draught and typhoons.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? No.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? May be. I don’t know how.

Nepal

2009-12-13T09:26:00.000-08:00

Male. Age 28. Job. Nepal

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? Yes, it changes our life. In the context of Nepal, our Himalya is going to be free from snow…it is symbolic changes so far I found. In the same way, changes in temperature directly effects the human life i.e. global warming.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? Changes in life…heavy rainfall, partially rainfall….natural disaster and so on.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? Yes really, we can start from our level to not polluting rivers and Himal.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? We need to start using environment friendly things.

Male. Age 48. Civil Engineer, Nepal

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? Yes, it changes our life. Changes in temperature directly effects the human life i.e. global warming, acid rain etc.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? Natural disasters.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? Yes really, we can start from our side, by not polluting our environment.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? We do not disturb the natural process. Minimizing the industrialization, using environment friendly things.

Female . Age 38. School Teacher, Nepal

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? It started to change our daily life…by changing climate… which automatically changes our daily life.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? Environment pollution and change in life style.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? I think to save the environment is the only one solution for this problem.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? We do not hamper the natural process.

Late addition from Canada

2009-12-07T18:35:00.000-08:00

Canada already has a bad rap going into the Cop15. We are one of the world's biggest polluters and we seem to like it that way, considering that we have expanded oil production in the tar sands of Northern Alberta and have ignored much of the Kyoto protocol. So it's only fitting that the Canadian portion of this survey is late....but as they say, better late than never.....well somehow that doesn't seem very appropriate in this context does it?

These interviews were all conducted in downtown Toronto on Saturday, December the 5th.

Name: Jen
Age: 28
Occupation: Elementary School Teacher

1) Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? Yes…it sounds familiar.

2) Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? Well,,,,directly…hmmm? I can’t say really, but it is a concern. Like what will happen in the future, maybe that is more of a concern. Will fuel prices be higher? Will we get worse weather? Those things are really worrying. But as for right here and now, I can’t say climate change is affecting my daily life.

3) What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?
Well the loss of habitat in the North is worrisome – like for polar bears. That’s heart breaking. And it would suck to think of a world without glaciers. Also I don’t what will happen with the Inuit people and their traditions and lifestyle, as things start to warm up up there.

4) Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? Yes, I’m definitely conscious of it. I try to make certain ethical choices with what I buy and I how I use energy around the house. Beyond that I’m not sure what I can do. I also try to eat local produce.

5) How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? Oh. I have no idea. Hmmm.. Less air-conditioning maybe, and better insulated houses? That should help with reducing energy consumption.

Name: Pratha
Age: 37
Occupation: Graphic Designer

1) Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes, I’ve been reading about in the news.

2) Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? At the moment no not really. But it is definitely something to worry about in the future.

3) What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?
I think lots of people are dying from increased natural disasters – which I assume is being caused by global warming. So that’s pretty bad.

4) Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? Yes and no. I think there’s got to be strong leadership coming from our political parties above all. That’s the most important thing. And right now we have a conservative government that doesn’t take climate change seriously. So it doesn’t look so good right now.

5) How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? Well, suburban sprawl is for sure a problem. People in Toronto spend way too much time in their cars, burning fossil fuels, just to get around. We need to have better public transit and bike lanes so that we can live more sustainably.

Name: Kevin
Age: 58
Occupation: Financial Planner

1) Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? Well it’s not been on the news as much as I’d hoped, but yes I have heard of it. But maybe only because I take a special interest in these things. I think most Canadians have no idea about this, especially since the media seems to be obsessed with Stephen Harper’s current trip to China. He’s trying to boost trade between China and Canada….when in fact the real issue right now should be Copenhagen.

2) Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? Yes. But mostly because I am now making choices to live more green – which is relatively new for me. For instance last year I sold my car, and now I take transit to work. I’ve been renovating my house so that it wastes less energy. I shop at the farmer’s market. So climate change is affecting me because I choose to do things differently now.

3) What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?
Loss of habitat, more chaotic weather, rising ocean water levels. Those are all pretty bad.

4) Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? Yes. I guess I answered that already. But I think we all need to be making changes with our lifestyle, and I look around, and I don’t see that happening really.

5) How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? Well car commuting and car dependency are bad, and that’s happening because we have suburban cities like Mississauga and Pickering and big box stores that are impossible to walk to. That’s not a sustainable way to build cities. At the same time we’re a winter nation, so I realise that there’s gonna be some tension here. At some parts of the year, nobody wants to walk anywhere, because it’s just to damn cold. But I say, just put some more layers on.

Name: Antonio
Age: 34
Occupation: Hair Stylist

1) Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] No. What is it?

2) Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? If I drove a car, I would say gas prices. But I don’t drive. So no.

3) What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?
To be honest, I don’t really see any problems. Maybe there are some problems somewhere else in the world, but right here? No, I don’t see it.

4) Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? I don’t think there’s anything I can do. Maybe there should be more laws to stop industries from polluting so much.

5) How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? I have no clue.

First impressions

2009-12-07T11:27:00.000-08:00

As the study is not finished we are waiting with commenting it too much, however the first impressions shows that there is a general awareness of climate change, and that this is caused by human activity.

Most have heard about COP15, however not everyone. In general there is a conception that climate change is affecting us in our daily lives in one way or another. It is interesting to observe how geographical, spatial, and cultural conditions affect these answers. Suggestions for what has the greatest impact on the climate are quite diverse, although it seems to be very focused on global warming.

In terms of responsibility there is a general understanding that everyone has to participate to reduce climate change, however there is quite a few who believe they have no power in doing anything about it.

As this study has an architectural focus answers on the last question will not be discussed until COP15 is over and this study is concluded.

China

2009-12-06T22:02:00.000-08:00

Male. Age 24. Pharmacist, Shanghai, China

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen?

I just heard about it briefly.

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Climate does affect my daily life. The ice bergs are melting in the poles and because of that sea levels will rise in Shanghai. Therefore it affects me mentally.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

The loose restrictions on pollution.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

Yes, I have a responsibility. I can e.g. use less water in my daily life.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

I think this question is too professional for me to answer.

Male. Age 25. Head of Auctions, Shanghai, China

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? No!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

No, not now.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

Pollution.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

Yes, I have. I want to use environmentally friendly things in my daily life. Like not use plastic bags anymore, just paper bags.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

I don’t know.

Female. Age 53. Accounting, Shanghai, China

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Yes, it does affect my daily life. And it does harm the environment.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

The climate change will result in a natural catastrophe. In Shanghai everything will be flooded in the future.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

Yes, I have. I can e.g. drive less in my car, safe electricity, and use the refrigerator less.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

Use solar energy.

Male. Age 20. University student, major in airlines & airline businesses, Shanghai, China

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen?

Yes, I heard about it from newspapers and magazines.

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Yes, it does affect my daily life. In Shanghai in the past years in September and October the weather was normally cold. But from 2006 and till now the weather is so hot until November. Also the air pollution in the centre of Shanghai is very serious.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

In the winter sometimes it feels very hot. Therefore lots of insects will survive in the winter.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

Of course! I think everyone has the duty to improve the environment. If we stop polluting the air, a lot of things will be better. Especially the weather. I usually take the subway, not bus or taxi. Sometimes I ride the bicycle to school, although my school is very far away from my home. I think I have the duty to protect the environment.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

In the city centre a lot of buildings are so close and tall. Therefore sometimes you feel very warm and that is a problem. If you go out of the city centre, you will be very cold. Air pollution is very serious in the city centre, because lots of people have to travel there for work every day. I think the government should do something to improve the conditions.

Male. Age 44. Shop assistant. Shanghai, China

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Yes, I think so. Especially the weather. In the winter it is not cold anymore. In the summer it is uncomfortable, because it is very hot.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

No, no idea.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

Yes. I can use the refrigerator less and also use the air conditioner less.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

Not very clear to me.

Germany

2009-12-06T22:00:00.000-08:00

Male. Age 27. Phd student in Physics, Mainz, Germany

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Yes, I feel that during summer the weather is so hot and also in the winter. Then we don’t have quite cold weather, in winter, how it supposed to be.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

Because of this climate change many places in world are going to change. For example deserts becomes larger and also because of the warm weather we see many forest burns, especially in USA.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

I don’t personally feel any responsibilities for this but I try to live natural and in my daily life I use bicycle for going everywhere and sometimes I use public transport. Beside I have a car.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

I think by having old buildings in the city improved. To build houses more efficient. I mean to build and design better windows and doors for houses and also the heating system, and trying to burn less natural gas and oil. Etc…

Male. Age 24. Student in Politics, Mainz, Germany

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

It doesn’t have any affect at the moment but in the future I think it will.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

I think some low level regions and also areas near the seaside have many problems.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

I am one person, I can’t do anything. But personally I try to think about my way of life.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

Buildings in the city. By refurbishing buildings and reduce your own system and way of life, I mean by using heating system and so on.

Male. Age 19. Media student, Mainz, Germany.

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] No!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? No!

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

Industry

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

No. I try to save water and to use public transport.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

By having large buildings.

Male. Age 38. Worker in chemical industry, Mainz, Germany

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? No!

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

Our need for energy is too high.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

Yes, by trying to save energy.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

Buildings. I think buildings in the future should be better.

Male. Age 58. Architect, Berlin, Germany

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Yes. We are destroying the world if we continue to use, and exhaust it, as we are doing now.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

Main problem is that we are using too much energy.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

Yes I do. There are a lot of small things you can do yourself for the climate. Take train and bus instead of car, and of course on walk. Turn down the heating, so you don’t have to wear a t-shirt inside in winter. Turn of the lights, both at home and in office buildings. It’s really common sense.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

There is so much we should change. In Berlin there are a lot of places with really bad circulation of air. Too dense areas have bad air flow and heat up easily. There should be more open spaces.

Old building should be renovated. Further air circulation applies to buildings as well. There is no real need for air-conditioning here. When buildings are designed properly natural ventilation cools them down. Instead of air-conditioning it is much better just to have windows open and spaces that allow cross ventilation.

Further glass facades are beautiful to look at but they are really bad in terms of environmental building. In them it is difficult and energy consuming to maintain a good indoor climate. Too much technology is needed. In fact new architecture use too much technology, much can be achieved with much simpler solutions.

Female. Age 47. Vendor, Berlin, Germany

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Yes, it is too hot in the summer.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

The seasons have changed. Now it is too hot in the summer. Almost 40 degrees Celsius is not normal here. And the winter is mild and wet. This is not normal for these parts.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

It is impossible for me to do anything about it.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

Install air-conditions in buildings to make a nicer temperature indoor in summer.

Female. Age 27. Receptionist, Berlin, Germany

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] No!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? No!

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

I am not sure.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

I don’t drive that much in car.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

Improve heating systems.

Greenland

2009-12-06T21:55:00.000-08:00

Male. Age 55. Fisherman, Nuuk, Greenland

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Yes, fishing is withdrawing. We need to sail longer to catch shrimp and work harder and longer.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

The greatest problem is probably that the ice around us is melting, which is affecting the seals, there are not as many as before, to hunt.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

I grew up in a society where we live of what is around us in the nature, fish, whales, birds, and reindeer.

It is difficult to go hunting without having a boat with a good engine, especially now when there are not as many seals as before.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

It is necessary to demolish many of the old houses and build new ones that are better insulated.

Female. Age 23. Student, Nuuk, Greenland

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Climate change does not affect me much in my everyday life, but I fear for our culture, where many are depending on the nature and climate, both through work and lifestyle.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

The greatest problem will probably be that Greenland would loose its identity if we will not be able to live as our parents did. Not meant that we do not need to evolve, but that our culture is in our veins and if we can not live in harmony with the nature we will loose a piece of our selves.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

I try to remember to turn of the light, also as it matters for my personal economy.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

Many of our houses are old and leaking. Insulation is not used very much, as the oil is cheap up here. We have the world’s lowest price on oil and very high building costs. With this situation there is no economical gain in improving the houses. Not even in the long run.

India

2009-12-06T21:46:00.000-08:00

Male. Age 28. Trading, Delhi, India
Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Yes, I am strong believer that any change, which is against the nature, is dangerous for the living beings. Tsunami and earthquakes are the few examples.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

I think the biggest threat is the industries and pollution and there is too much stress on the earth because of these industries and modern outlook and is coming out in the shape of climate change.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

Yes we all are responsible for the climate change and I think we our selves are responsible for these changes as we all are running for materialistic things even forgot ourselves in the race and our attitude towards social activities are declining day by day and we are becoming self centered for our own interest like: cars, big houses, gold, shares, jewelry and money.

The only way to contribute in a bigger way is to stop the mad races of nuclear and borders and bring people out of the nationalities and make them to think that they are one world.

Individual level: The only solution I have in my mind is we should respect our earth same way as we respect our work, love in same way as we love our family and other materialistic things.

World’s level: we should increase our pace in achieving the green world; each and every thing in our surroundings should be eco friendly. All the projects happening around us should be eco friendly and all the countries have one ministry for eco friendly to look after all the projects.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

Yes our built environment also have a big role in climate change, it should be made mandatory that no building can be made without the green norms.

Male. Age 26. Architect, Delhi, India

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Yes, it is changing my level of comfort every passing year. Winters are now short lived, rains scanty and unseasonal leading to power cuts, price rise in food commodities due to drought-like conditions. This year has left me to spend more on basic food items.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?
Of course global warming. The earth is not being allowed to breathe properly.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?
Personally being an Architect I can try to adhere to the sustainability norms in construction, which consequently would help in negating the pollution level.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?
Our built environment is constituted of constructed buildings, roads, pavements, street furniture and vegetation and water bodies wherever they share intimacy with settlement. Basically the whole thing may be divided into two parts: grey matter and green matter........the green mater has to be conserved and multiplied, the grey matter brought down to the bare minimum requirement.

Iran

2009-12-06T21:36:00.000-08:00

Female. Age 24. Design student, Iran

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] No!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Yes. In my future life and next generations will be affected.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

The way that people live on earth.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

Yes. Try to explain others and study about this. Trying to use natural energy that maybe helps to reduce the heat of the earth.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

I think people affect it. People need to know that nature is more important than our life and comfort. We need to stop destroying the nature.

Male. Age 25. Student of environmental science, Iran

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Yes. It lets me not doing everything that I want. All people should change the way of their life and then in the future we would change the earth.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

The next generation can’t live properly.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

Yes. I try to avoid doing some things. I use public transport and reduce the heating system of my house etc.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

Industrial life, especially in Europe and USA CO2 is increasing in air and temperature is going up. We have three ways to do this:
1. to use natural energy.
2. try not to reduce energy in industry and factories
3. all people should try to save energy or use the facilities with lowest energy. Especially in Europe and USA because the other countries are still growing and they need to produce CO2. But U.S and Europe produce much more CO2 than others.

Male. Age 25. Student dept. of Chemistry, Iran

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? No!

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

It is politics as some countries like USA and China don’t want to do anything, or help.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

Yes. But there is nothing that I can do.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

Our environment is affected by reduction of forest, and CO2 emission from Industry.

Slovenia

2009-12-06T21:27:00.000-08:00

Male. Age 49. University Professor dept. of medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia (phone interview)

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Yes! Mainly on outdoor activities. The weather seems to change more rapidly and there is much more rainy days. Also it seems like the ski season is more unpredictable, with less snow.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

I don’t know. Maybe human activity.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

Yes, any ways of reducing CO2 emissions.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

Reduce CO2 emissions by better building insulation.

Female. Age 44. University Professor dept. of medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia (phone interview)

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Yes! By sudden drops in temperatures during spring and autumn seasons.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

Melting ice on the poles. I don’t know what is causing this. Maybe warming emissions caused human activity.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

Yes. Reduce consumption of polluting industrial products. And choose products of based on sustainable development throughout the production process. I.e. organic, from renewable energy sources etc.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

Cars should only be used for long distance transportation. Inner cities should become car free, and definitely no more roads should be built in the city centre for cars. The public transportation should be improved so that this can cover any necessary need for transportation. More streets should become only for pedestrians and the conditions for cycling should be improved.

Spain

2009-12-06T21:24:00.000-08:00

Male. Age 34. Consultant, Spain

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?
Yes. Price of energy and lack of quality water.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?
USA and China attitude towards climate change.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?
Yes, lower consumption.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?
Economic Model

Switzerland

2009-12-06T21:21:00.000-08:00

Male. Age 30. IT Specialist, Zurich, Switzerland

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Yes. Less snow during the winter.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

Rising sea levels.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

I do feel responsible for the climate, but I don’t feel that I am responsible for the current situation. I see my contribution only in the long run. And this by buying environmental friendly cars, fridges etc. But those are things I can’t change right now.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

Yes, our built environment affects the climate. E.g. Tall buildings will block the wind and therefore the temperature within a city will rise by about 2 degree within the city compared to outside. There should be a lot more green areas within the cities.

United Kingdom, London

2009-12-06T21:11:00.000-08:00

Female. Age 27. Sales assistant, London, UK

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No] Yes on TV

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Not really, but I think about it. What might happen etc.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

Global warming, extinction of animal life, and waste.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

We all have to change our habits, every little step helps. More people to use public transportation instead of cars, and use other energy sources.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

All the pollution we produce most certainly have some effects on our climate. Change the way we live, by the use of new energy sources.

Female. Age 28. Student, London, UK

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No]

Yes from newspapers.

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

Don’t know – maybe. When you think about it – yes.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

Greenhouse gasses causing global warming.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

Public transportation is good in London, so I use that – More people should that would cause less pollution.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

Too many people, cars, buildings. Our climate can’t keep up with it. We are growing / expanding to fast. We should slow down and use what we have; sun, wind etc.

Venezuela

2009-12-06T21:08:00.000-08:00

Male. Age 61, Venezuela

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No]. No!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?
Will be if it gets worse, for example, in Venezuela a dry season is expected next year and the dams will have little water, so we are starting a restriction of water supply and electricity from now on.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?
Changes in patterns, but maybe the most problematic will be the warming of the poles and the melting of the ice.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?
Very little I can do, this is world government problem and a circle one, as earth rotates around the Alcion star in 26.000 years with the sun, and we are getting into the fotonic belt.

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?
The use of combustion systems adds to the warming effect, clean energy should be the energy of the future.

Male. Age 27. Marine Biologist (Master student). Venezuela (on Dec 9th)

Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? Yes!

Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how? Yes, More work.

What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate? Increasing human population.

Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate? Yes, reduce my ecological footprint by using less energy (e.g. electricity, gasoline).

How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change? Locally it completely alters it (cities) and globally it is probably responsible for 20% of man made CO2 emissions.

Researchers

2009-12-06T21:05:00.000-08:00

Azin Taghvashoar, Urban Designer, Mainz, Germany

Bjarke Jensen, Architect, Nuuk, Greenland

Brendan Cormier, Architect, Toronto, Canada

Carmen Gomez, Architect, Shanghai, China

Ganga Datta Nepal, District Support Adviser, Nepal

Jamie J. Lee, Architect, Sydney, Australia

Kristian Momme Kristensen, Architect, London, UK

Lene Zingenberg, Architect, Denmark

Samo Pedersen, Architect, Denmark

Sarvdeep Sangwan, Architect/ Director (Sarvdeep Sangwan Associates), Delhi, India

Thomas Iversen, Research Assistant, Århus, Denmark.

Vicky Ariyanti, Urban Designer, Jakarta, Indonesia

Formalia

2009-12-06T21:03:00.000-08:00

Will be updated

Impressions on climate change

2009-12-02T22:29:00.000-08:00

Climate change is hot, or at least it is getting warmer. Or so they say. COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference is just about to start (Dec 7^th to Dec 18^th).

Not only are politicians attending meetings, but also scientists, NGOs, environmentalist etc. congregate to Copenhagen these days.

But what are the expectations and concerns of people around the world on the subject of climate change? People who are carrying on with their normal duties and are not on their way to Copenhagen.

NoMadSpaceLab and The Department of Unusual Certainties intends to find out, and have asked researchers around the world to ask five questions on the topic. The researchers’ backgrounds are within planning, architecture and political sciences, but the interviewees are people they meet on the street from all possible backgrounds. These questions will be asked Saturday the 5^th of December, in various different countries. The reason for asking the same questions on the same day is to minimize global events occurring in-between the interviews, which might change focus of the subject. By this it can be interesting to observe if there are any differences in the answers and if these create a geographic pattern. It can also clarify local concerns in an otherwise globalised world.

The questions asked are:

1) Have you heard of COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen? [Yes/No]

2) Do you think that climate change affects you in your daily life? If so how?

3) What do you see as the most severe problems for the climate?

4) Do you personally feel any responsibility for the climate and are there any things you can do to contribute to a better climate?

5) How do you think our built environment affects climate? What should we change in our built environment to help prevent climate change?

If you would like to contribute you can answer the questions and write them in the comment box. Remember to write your Country first. Thank you!