Design Against The Elements (DAtE)

Press Release

Over 40 countries sign DAtE manifesto for climate adaptability

Nations around the world, developed or developing, big or small, east or west, have stood up and responded to the Design Against the Elements’ (DAtE) call for global climate change adaptation and disaster resilience.

At the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) talks in Bonn, Germany last May 31 to June 11, representatives from more than 40 countries around the world, international organizations and civil society groups signed DAtE’s proposal called “A Global Manifesto for Climate Adaptability and Resilient communities.”

The signatory countries span across the globe, from major continents Asia, Europe, Africa, North America and South America, as well as Australia. Among some of the developed countries who expressed their support are USA, Germany, France, and Italy. Civil society groups and international organizations like Conservation International also signed their support.

DAtE initiator and MyShelter Foundation Executive Director Illac Diaz, together with the Philippine Climate Change Commission (CCC) and other Philippine representatives, called on other UNFCCC representatives to sign the DAtE manifesto.

The manifesto underscores the urgency of climate change adaptation and the need to immediately establish climate change-resilient and disaster-resistant communities in developing countries.

It explains that developing countries are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as typhoons, droughts, landslides, food and water shortage, as founded by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its Fourth Assessment Report.

The manifesto further pushes for zero climate risk and casualty among vulnerable communities and calls for the sharing of innovative solutions in architecture, engineering and urban planning to increase these communities’ capacities for adaptation. The manifesto also particularly asked for support for initiatives like the DAtE global architectural competition.

Diaz was enthusiastic with the response of the UNFCCC country representatives. “This is just the beginning for DAtE in the world,” he said, adding that he is positive other countries will be receptive to the DAtE campaign.

CCC country negotiator Loraine Gatlabayan was happy with the country representatives’ understanding on climate change adaptability, but noted that signatory developing countries in the manifesto especially understood the implications of climate change for them. “They know and want to disaster-proof themselves,” Gatlabayan said.

Diaz, the CCC, and other DAtE proponents like the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), are currently on an information campaign for DAtE to encourage architects around the world to participate in the competition. “We want the brightest and most innovative minds to design a community that is sustainable and climate change-resilient,” Diaz said emphatically.