Mitigation and Adaptation

These two terms are often used to describe our attitude towards environmental problems such as climate change for example. The principle of adaptation is based on recognizing that the factors are given as it is and we cannot change it, our attitude should be adapt ourselves to it; while the principle of mitigation is based on changing our behaviour in order to change given circumstances.

Talking about climate change, the principle of adaptation would suggest that we must accept these changes and adapt the world - in a large scale, or a building in a smaller scale - for a new climate. This could lead to a new way of thinking, of planning and designing. If we consider the mitigation process we must act in order to revert this circumstances, once more through planning and design.

In this situation, to adopt the adaptation process would be the same as to affirm that our behaviour and lifestyle does not affect the climate, and so, our greenhouse gas emissions have no impact in the climate, we should maintain things as it is and only adapt ourselves to future changes. On the other hand, adopting the mitigation process, we must change our behaviour, try to live more sustainably in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to change this situation - we have created let's say - for a better future.

The two approaches give us different perspectives of how we could act given the situation is already uncomfortable and some action is needed. However, one does not exclude another. If we consider mitigation as a process, our behaviour changes aiming to revert the situation in the future - to not change the climate for instance - will demand some changes now, and by doing this we will be somehow adapting to the present situation. And so does the adaptation process - by changing and adapting we also contribute to environmental changes that will reflect in the future. For example, to avoid overheat in buildings we improve its design in order to adapt the building for the circumstances - using green roofs, green walls, solar panels that uses the heat for generating energy, etc - and as we adapt it we are also using the mitigation process, improving the quality of the environment in a long term process. So, it is important to note that most processes are both mitigation and adaptation.

However, some actions must be taken quickly to avoid imminent loss and damages, and we cannot think only in long term, but instead of think in one or another, we must think in both  as a unique process, for short and long terms, improving the quality of life for this and future generations, and most importantly, for all kind of life in the planet. If we can adapt ourselves to these changes, many other species may not be able to it, and may disappear in near future - disregarding many already extinct species - an irreversible damage.

The role of architects, urban planners and all involved in the built environment is to improve the quality of life trough design regarding that all environments are connected - as McDonough says in 'Cradle to Cradle', there is no 'away'. It is more than clear that we need to change our behaviour and lifestyle if we expect a better future, and this could be done for everyone, through adaptation and mitigation processes.