MessageMassage from the director

Prof. Tetsuzo YASUNARI
（Director, KCCAC）

Currently, it is said that we are creating a new history in the Earth’s timeline called the “Anthropocene” due to climate change and environmental fluctuations caused by human civilization. Within this context, the question arises of how humanity itself should confront these challenges. This issue requires consideration not only on a global scale but also within the specific lands and regions where we reside in reality.Addressing the problem involves more than just restraining CO2 emissions globally. We also need to contemplate what kind of new society is possible within the local nature and the communities with a long history and culture that we inhabit.Kyoto Prefecture and Kyoto City propose five perspectives in the “adaptation measures” as depicted in the diagram below. The “Kyoto-styled measures” positioned at the center are particularly crucial. Considering both the perspectives of mitigating and adapting to climate change is essential. Without this integrated synergistic approach, solution of climate change issues is not feasible.Kyoto has a rich culture and history, where is an ideal site to learn the perspective and wisdom of a society and culture amid the changing climate and nature. While confronting the already apparent impacts of climate change, we explore adaptive measures towards a sustainable society where humans and nature can coexist is considered as our mission.

Adaptation measuresThe five perspectives of the adaptation measures

About usKyoto Climate Change Adaptation Center

 
On July 14, 2021, Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, andResearch Institute for Humanity and Nature （RIHN）established the “Kyoto Climate Change Adaptation Center” (KCCAC) under the “Agreement on the Establishment of the Kyoto Climate Change Adaptation Center” concluded on the same day, aiming to promote climate change adaptation tailored to the region’s nature and societal conditions. The center is located at RIHN.

 
In recent years, the impacts of global warming and other climate changes have affected daily life, socio-economic factors, and the natural environment, with the potential for these impacts to persist and expand over the long term. The agreement is intended for Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, and RIHN to collaborate and cooperate mutually, fostering initiatives in Kyoto to adapt to such climate changes. The newly established KCCAC, in accordance with the objectives of the national “Climate Change Adaptation Act,” aims to implement these initiatives.

 
KCCAC will undertake the following tasks:

(1)Collection, organization, analysis, and prediction/assessment of information related to climate change impacts and adaptation.
(2)Aggregation of the latest knowledge on climate change impacts and adaptation in Kyoto, in collaboration with universities and other research institutions.
(3)Dissemination of information on climate change impacts and adaptation, as well as awareness-raising among residents and businesses.
(4)Support for the creation of adaptive businesses for the autonomous dissemination of climate change adaptation measures.
(5)Information sharing with the national government, the National Institute for Environmental Studies, and other national research and development institutions.
(6)Other necessary tasks.