In addition to population growth, consumerism has been also putting a lot of stress in our planet. Actual forecasts predict that around 2050 we will have 50% more people living here. 9 billion human beings striving for water, food, clothes, shelter…and eventually taking part of the consumer society. It may sound controversial, but if we eradicate poverty, around 4 planets would be necessary to supply our needs and aspirations.
Amidst this challenging scenario, designers and advertisers play a critical role: not just for creating and promoting goods and services that will not end up on landfills in a short timeframe, but also to raise awareness and eventually contribute to solve these global issues. One of the first initiatives based on this new mentality was the First Things First Manifesto, written in 1964 and revived by AdBusters magazine in 2000
As a matter of fact, Adbusters has been doing a great job in regards to raising awareness about overconsumption:
Since the first step towards change is awareness, The Story of Stuff is a very comprehensive 20-minute video revealing production and consumption hidden patterns:
Similarly, PBS aired a series revealing this new disease affecting all of us:
And if reducing or eliminating completely overconsumption sounds Utopian, designers still have to find ways to minimize the environmental impact. Luce Beaulieu, co-founder of a sustainable design consultancy in Montreal (Perennia) is giving this season a free workshop about Green Wrapping this season combining environmental responsibility and traditional Japanese wrapping cloth (Furoshiki)
Empreinte Ecologique et Emballages de Noel (PDF in French).
As the extraordinary Buckminster Fuller once said:
“The best way to predict the future is to design it.”
So let’s change our world. One step at a time.
Photo from Banksy, original source.
by Gustavo Machado.
One Comment, Comment or Ping
Thomas Jr.
Very helpful post. I couldn’t follow the stuff in French but the stuff in English is very useful, special at this time of year.
Nevertheless, I ask, how can designers create products and goods for a consumption logic from 9 to 5, and then expect to solve it with campaigns to raise awareness from 6 to 9…?
Best,
Thomas.
Dec 13th, 2008
Reply to “Over. Consumption.”