The Need For Sustainable Design

Sustainable design is fundamental to addressing environmental problems and their systemic roots.

In the last 100 years, human civilizations have significantly altered virtually all of Earth’s environments. While technological development and resource extraction have dramatically improved standards of living for many, destruction of natural ecosystems and environmental contamination have bred innumerable interrelated problems. If current rates of environmental degradation, resource consumption, and population growth continue, the well-being of future generations will be increasingly compromised.

With an environmental situation of such magnitude, there is a incredible burden, not only in terms of financial costs, human lives, and quality of life, but also with respect to the sustainability of Earth’s resources and of human societies. Perhaps more challenging is the growing awareness that our environmental predicament is rooted in human cultural patterns, such as our alienation from nature, reliance on technological solutions, emphasis on short-term gain, and proliferation of exploitative economic systems.

Evolutionary change is essential. Patterns of development, waste management, and resource use contribute to both local and global environmental problems, and can be influenced by personal action as well as through collaboration of individuals from different disciplines. By proactively shaping human environments and consciousness, we can further promote environmental sensitivity in attitude and behavior.

In this context, design is pivotal. Not only does it often draw upon natural resources for materials and energy, but the finished result, be it a brochure, product, building, or system, can directly affect levels of consumption, waste and contamination. While destructive impact must be minimized, it is also essential that design’s constructive potential be fully exploited. Designers play a central role in molding human culture, shaping information, entertainment, tools, and physical environments. Harnessing and appropriately directing this potential is fundamental to ensuring a sustainable future.

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