Final Blog!
Being socially responsible through design is equally as important as being environmentally responsible. According to the Fuad Luke reading, design activism involves using product design as a way to address social issues in our word. It would be great if we, as a society of over-consumers, were able to address both problems (social and environmental) with a singular solution. In the United States, we have a problem with over-consumption. Everybody has way more “stuff” than is necessary for meeting basic everyday needs. We have an outfit for every occasion, 20 pairs of shoes, and accessories galore. Meanwhile, people in other countries are glad to have any piece of clothing that will keep them warm, and just one pair of shoes so they can walk to school or work without hurting their feet or contracting diseases.
Because we are in the position that we are as a country, we have a responsibility to help those less fortunate. However, we don’t want to provide them with products that will harm their environment either. To solve this issue, we first need to focus on implementing Cradle to Cradle practices in our society by keeping our biological and technical resources separate. We can accomplish this by producing clothes and shoes that are 100% cotton or other natural, biodegradable products. When we grow tired of these products, we can then send these clothes and shoes to countries that need them. When the products finally lose all of their function and need to be discarded, they can be used as nutritional resources and fed back into the earth. This way, we are able to provide clothing for those in under-consuming countries while also providing nutritional resources for the earth.
In summation of this course, I would like to say that I have learned a great deal about the problems facing our world and some of the solutions that are being implemented. Of all these things, the most important thing that I learned was that I, as a designer, have a very important role in making sure that sustainable practices are being used in my industry. I can use this knowledge to specify the best products and keep sustainability in mind when selecting textiles for interior applications. I am very interested in learning more about Cradle to Cradle implementations in the industry. As of right now, I feel that Steelcase, in partnering with the Cradle to Cradle founders to develop new products, is one of the leading commercial furniture companies when it comes to truly sustainable options.
Beth I like your idea, but did you think of the fossil fuels and such that hurt the earth to get the products shipped to other countries? I definitely agree that clothing and materials should be organic, used until they are no good anymore, and then can give back to our earth, we just need to find ways to use less fuels to get products back and forth.
ReplyDeleteMaegen,
DeleteDue to the social emphasis of this week's blog, I did not consider the shipping aspect. This idea could also be easily implemented on a local level, where clothing and shoes that are biodegradable can be redistributed to the less fortunate in our own towns and cities, then when they are worn out they can be disposed of easily because they will become nutrition for the earth.
Beth, I am totally guilty of having unnecessary clothes and shoes. I always give my unwanted items to either a thrift store or to churches. I love your idea of sending our clothes to other countries though because I am all about helping other countries in as many ways as possible. Although it may be relatively expensive to send these garments over to the other countries, those are the countries that will end up helping us in the long run when we need them. If we do things for others, they will have our backs when we need them. This is a great idea!
ReplyDelete