- What is sustainability and why is it necessary?
How is sustainability a new way of thinking? How is it related to ecology?
How can designers integrate principles of sustainability into their designs?
How can our understanding of natural processes and systems help create ecological sustainable designs? What is the role of technology?
What, to you, are the most important frameworks and strategies for creatingt sustainable designs? What obstacles prevent us from becoming a sustainable society? Can they be overcome?
To many, leaving the Earth good as we found it is the common definition of sustainability. However, after considering the fact that our planet and its people are constantly growing and evolving with time, the standard definition for sustainable living falls short. Our true goal in attaining sustainability is to improve the quality of life for all living beings while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems. The standard definition of sustainability assumes that as long as humans cut down on expenditure, they can be sustainable. Sustainability should not require people to sacrifice their quality of living. We should be able to achieve zero impact while still being happy with our lifestyles, either through being satisfied with less possessions, or through designing in such a way that allows us to keep such possessions.
I believe that sustainability is an important way of life because every decision we make should have a positive impact on posterity. By making decisions that are sustainable, we do not take from our ecosystems; instead, we leave them in the condition they were found, or more desirably, in a better condition than before.
In many aspects, sustainability is a new way of thinking. It is a new paradigm that opposes the principles of Industrialism, which is focused on a culture of consumption. Take/make/waste becomes borrow/use/return. Cradle to grave becomes cradle to cradle. Linear becomes a closed loop. The consumption culture becomes less stuff, more joy, mass production/one seize fits all/monoculture are now local, diverse, and adaptable.
How is sustainability a new way of thinking? How is it related to ecology?
How can designers integrate principles of sustainability into their designs?
How can our understanding of natural processes and systems help create ecological sustainable designs? What is the role of technology?
What, to you, are the most important frameworks and strategies for creatingt sustainable designs? What obstacles prevent us from becoming a sustainable society? Can they be overcome?
To many, leaving the Earth good as we found it is the common definition of sustainability. However, after considering the fact that our planet and its people are constantly growing and evolving with time, the standard definition for sustainable living falls short. Our true goal in attaining sustainability is to improve the quality of life for all living beings while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems. The standard definition of sustainability assumes that as long as humans cut down on expenditure, they can be sustainable. Sustainability should not require people to sacrifice their quality of living. We should be able to achieve zero impact while still being happy with our lifestyles, either through being satisfied with less possessions, or through designing in such a way that allows us to keep such possessions.
I believe that sustainability is an important way of life because every decision we make should have a positive impact on posterity. By making decisions that are sustainable, we do not take from our ecosystems; instead, we leave them in the condition they were found, or more desirably, in a better condition than before.
In many aspects, sustainability is a new way of thinking. It is a new paradigm that opposes the principles of Industrialism, which is focused on a culture of consumption. Take/make/waste becomes borrow/use/return. Cradle to grave becomes cradle to cradle. Linear becomes a closed loop. The consumption culture becomes less stuff, more joy, mass production/one seize fits all/monoculture are now local, diverse, and adaptable.
Things we want to change about Industrial System:
- take/make/waste >>> borrow/use/return
- cradle to grave >>> cradle to cradle
- linear >>> closed loop
- produce/consume culture >>> less stuff, more joy
- mass production/one size fits all/monoculture >>> local, diverse, adaptable
- brute force, heat/beat/treat, toxicity, nonrenewable energy >>> natural process, nontoxic, renewable energy
- GDP/all growth is good/single bottom line/profit >>> eco-accounting, triple bottom line, all children, all species, for all time
