Why that idea might be wrong and What we can do to help as designers.

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability, in its most fundamental essence, is the ability of something to exist for an extended period. 

What is ‘something’ here?

It could be anything from a product or source of energy to a business or a strategy.

How can we explain it? 

Let’s take an example of a product, a glass bottle. A glass bottle is more sustainable than a plastic bottle. Why? Because glass products are used conventionally for a more extended period while also being recycled much more readily. Plastic bottles are often single-use and end up in landfills. Over 99% of plastic production is from chemicals derived from fossil fuels, which is depleting at a worrying rate.

It makes glass a better alternative and hence more suitable for use in the long run, based on the current circumstances. It makes the Glass more sustainable. However, this is a gross simplification of the glass vs plastic debate and is only an example for understanding sustainability. There are a ton of metrics that might make something more sustainable and suitable for use. But this is where we can start with understanding how the basics of the concept work.

If sustainability is so important, why has it been trending only now?

A critical factor in sustainability is efficiency – the maximum output possible from any resource while having minimum wastage. Why is that important? Because while humans have been the most prosperous than they ever have been, they have also been consuming resources and creating waste at an unprecedented rate. If not taken care of, it can irreversibly damage the environment. That will, in turn, make life on earth increasingly challenging.

And we are incredibly close to that point of no return.

Without immediate measures, it will result in climate change caused by us directly impacting us in return. And it affects us all. But a sad thing about it is that it affects us unequally. It hits the most disadvantaged people, who lack access to any resources, the hardest. But it is caused the most by people who consume the most, which is the most privileged part of society. So it becomes our collective responsibility to be aware at the very least. A better world for the most disadvantaged of us – is a better world for all of us. 

What is the role of the consumers in making the world more sustainable?

We might have varying impacts as contributors, but something that ties us together is being a consumer. Being a consumer comes inherently with being human. The most impactful thing we can do is to be conscious about our consumption choices while holding the companies and people in power accountable. It is essential for all of us who are aware – to extend awareness amongst our peers. We need to become conscious about our consumption and make it a non-negotiable.

There are many ways in which we can reduce energy consumption.

1. Turn off appliances when not in use and use energy-efficient products.
2. Reducing water consumption is also essential to eliminate wastage.
3. We can use the basics of reducing, reusing and recycling – reusing what we can, recycling what is possible to recycle and thus reducing waste.
4. Purchase sustainable products and use naturally occurring substances. When we support sustainable companies, it encourages more companies to move in that direction.
5. Supporting sustainable agriculture – Buying locally sourced and organically cultivated food is also essential.
6. Use public transportation whenever possible.
7. Support sustainable policies 

It will push the governments to make it increasingly difficult for companies to harm the environment and incentivise the ones that help us grow towards a more sustainable future. Individual actions are necessary but aren’t as helpful without a collective effort to root out these systems which continue to deteriorate our planet. That makes it our responsibility as citizens to look out for our people and nations. 

What is our role as designers in making the world more sustainable?

Designers substantially impact the kinds of products we use and the spaces we occupy. We have to give our best to design products and systems that are significantly efficient to allow the maximum use of available energy. Us designers need to be aware of the modern developments and innovations that continue to make sustainability increasingly easier and to promote and propose them in our projects. A behaviour towards sustainability can be encouraged by using products and systems to reduce the friction in processes and make it easier to live a sustainable lifestyle.

Another way designers can help with sustainability is by designing products which are easier to repair and reuse. We need to be advocates for decreasing climate impact and convince our clients of the benefits of sustainability. Many governments incentivise sustainable projects. Designers can use that point to convince investors, stakeholders and clients. A way of instilling this ideology is by thinking about the impact on the environment, sustainability & efficiency in every stage of the design process.  

Sustainability has become a means to make our world a better place, but a tool to save it first. And it is the responsibility of designers to be mindful of facilitating the world we want to build and thus be a part of.