Design at an environmental crossroads: Is there a choice?

Change is inevitable but the speed of change is variable. In our information driven society the speed of change only seems to increase. In the environmental field the speed of change makes me apprehensive about writing six months before the presentation. I am amazed at how quickly opinions and actions on a variety of environmental topics seem to change directions in a very short period of time.

Environmental information is unavoidable in our daily lives. Everywhere we look there is some kind of instruction on how to change our habits so we have less of an impact on our fragile earth. Individuals, companies and even countries are at an environmental crossroads. Some have embraced this new way of working, some have not. How does this impact the future? As the trend continues and becomes embedded in our society, designers, as leaders, need to be aware of environmental considerations in their work. Designers will need to understand the resources required to manufacture the products they create. Anticipating the needs of customers and clients will be a critical point for success.