Let's keep talking
What does sustainability mean? Does it just mean “less unsustainable”, as many mainstream efforts to effect change might suggest? Or is there another, positive definition we can look toward? Our impact might be economic, environmental, or with regards to equity and justice (or a combination of a couple or all of these). Certainly efforts to mitigate negative impacts are laudable. But many wonder if we can think bigger, and develop a positive vision of the future based on a shared definition of sustainability. In Sustainability by Design, John R. Ehrenfeld defines sustainability as flourishing, and notes that simply meeting basic needs, or reducing the obstacles to meeting those needs, is not enough. There are many layers to flourishing and therefore sustainability.
I believe design and design thinking is a pathway for discovering greater sustainability. It’s a tool for identifying underlying frustrations and points of friction. It’s a series of problem solving techniques. It’s a way of devising solutions that actually work. And it provides the foundation for ensuring that human beings, communities, and the environment are acknowledged every step in the way.
I’m enthusiastic about exploring sustainability through the lens of design. I believe there’s enormous potential in solving pressing problems using design principles and techniques, and here I’ll explore the new ways of thinking developed by designers (e.g. circular design) to rethink our relationship with each other and the planet. I kicked off this series with “The Experience of Sustainability”, after which this pillar is named. Intended for an audience of Chief Sustainability Officers, it’s my intention to share my passion for both sustainability and design to many different audiences who have a stake in the effort to bring about a better world.