Green Issues in Design :Overview

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                                                            Overview

       4R Rule:Refuse,Reduce,Reuse,Recycle,(+Rot)

Green issues or environmentally sustainable design principles: is the philosophy of design of physical objects and or services that comply with the principles of ecological sustainability. That is producing something that has been produced using the least amount of waste, using natural resources that are compostable in order to reduce pollution. Also extended longevity element to reduce landfill excessive use. This would include durability and design direction using classic models to keep its usability not only durable but also timeless within its design structure. These principles allow a product to have a longer physical use and when it has finished its life cycle returns to landfill or is recycled or even up cycled to reduce carbon emissions. A personal carbon footprint for a product design life cycle.

The definition of a carbon footprint is “the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organisation or community”. Nearly everything a human being does will amount to a certain amount of emissions into the atmosphere, but how much depends on what is done or purchased. This means you can increase or decrease your own personal carbon footprint by making personal lifestyle choices. In turn when a product is made it has a consumption level which can be analysed through how much water, energy and natural resources it takes to make it.

My project brief analysis is based on looking at the contextual nature of green issues within design parameters, showing awareness through researching contemporary aspects of green questions and answers. Analysing economics, politics and social impact of design principles for a greener consumer environment. Including strategical campaigns historical and contemporary that include environmental issues that designers and consumers need to debate analyse and strategise. Weaving a pathway of concepts and viewpoints for a new generation of designers and consumers to follow or avoid.

“Curiosity is a desire to know how things work and interrelate and why the world is as it is. From explorers who sought new horizons and new lands to the scientists who have made discoveries that help how the world ticks, curiosity has been a major driver of development” (.Ambrose.G.Harris.P.(2015:p52)

I can remember one of my very first memories of curiosity was when I was a child in my junior school steering out of the classroom window towards the Wendy House that stood right outside the window. One of my most abiding memories of my school days was when my favourite teacher Mrs Jones got the key and opened it up, so we could all go in and play one afternoon, as I am sure we all have memories similar within the memory of curiosity. Curiosity can be divided into two types of thinking categories diverse curiosity and epistemic curiosity.

Within the forward chapters of this assignment I will attempt to disclose and examine the design thinking behind my test projects within my final MA Design Project brief. Including a detailed analysis of todays consumer desires for green ecology issues whether you are designing, manufacturing or buying. The need for change in terms of looking at individual carbon footprints to recognise the impact on our consumer worlds destructive globally known climate change effect.

The following clip shows a recent houses of commons debate including the speaker Sir David Attenborough helping the current MPs understand the need for action against plastic pollution

                                         (Go to appendix XVIII for the full 60 minute meeting)

Within the new climate change emergency campaign rallies and debates is a current and fundamentally important part of the future of design and for consumer behaviour to choose and dictate rather than except what’s on offer on the high street. The reasons for green issues, the greenhouse effect, global warming tragedy that is currently running within global affairs. I will be questioning and responding to the need for everyone of us to be more eco conscious and driving forward a need to be less wasteful which todays human mankind’s utopia of all things convenient is also killing off all our natural resources. Mass extinction, the destruction of our ozone layer and the ever-increasing depletion of our polar ice caps.

Within my research findings I have found links to current social, political and cultural needs within today’s world. While researching climate change, the reasons, why’s and how’s to answer current questions of how we can reduce global warming and answering the needs to make people aware of plastic waste and its destructive influence on our planet’s natural world. Has become one of the key areas of interest within my project. My exploration of visual responses linked to ecology and how within subtle visual campaigns for global environmental issues. I have attempted to investigate green conservation eco conscious processes including natural dyes and inks through to visual imagery to inform the viewer of conservation biology issues. How designers have links to this emerging social need to protect our blue planet. I  intend to make current conclusions to the collision between mass extinction and the current plastic waste pandemic problem. The need for environmental change within the human race, current behaviour and new strategies and laws emerging.
As we have all seen via media and news reports plastic waste is killing large numbers of marine mammals, fish and birds(Appendix VIII).It has also come to light that Japan has removed their links with the international banning of whales and is currently starting to kill whales for their whale industry.
Below is a short clip showing how the whaling industry has effected todays climate change current problems and how if we hadn't endangered one of the largest and most important mammals of our oceans(the apex mammal of the ocean food chain how things would be so much better in terms of carbon emissions in todays world).

(Appendix I) Overview of Proposal Plan MA Design Project.

Whale tail in heaven fabric repeat developed using traditional photographs integrated using photoshop techniques.

Green Issues in Design : Ecology Evolution: Abstract

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Abstract

“The epidemic psychosis of our time is the lie of believing we have no ethical obligation to our planetary home.”  Theodore Roesak

.(https://libquotes.com/theodore-roszak/works/the-voice-of-the-earth.accessed Aug.2019)

The reasoning behind this book has come from a comprehensive journal documenting a project brief for a Masters Degree at University Lincoln of which extracts can be viewed in (Appendix I /II)

Global warming, also referred to as climate change, is the observed century-scale rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system and its related effects. Multiple lines of scientific evidence show that the climate system is warming.^] Many of the observed changes since the 1950s are unprecedented in the instrumental temperature record, and in paleoclimate proxy records of climate change over thousands to millions of years.^{(http://thetechnews.com/2017/07/26/global-warming-scenarios//.accessed 25/08/2019.11.28am)}

Castro trophic tipping point of Global Climate Change. The point were the planets biodiversity, natural resources for energy, climate change and the eradication of our polar regions of our planet will reach us into an era were we will have lost the natural resources to service the human race, a world of non-biodiversity.

“This is already happening with the effects of serious weather changes, alterations in global carbon cycles, eco systems degradations, mass extinction, increases in demands of water food and energy needs. Potentially we can change the devastation we are in by changing our habits, it is a planetary emergency to avoid a global catastrophe. However many scientists believe change will never happen as the world is run via monetary values” (Appendix III:transcript Ten Billion years Director:Peter Webber:writer Stephen Emmott).

Therefore it is every bodies responsibility to live sustainable lives, just like it is our responsibility to put litter in a bin “consume less and strive to be carbon neutral”

The Anthropecene;Making sense of the climate change 

                     A good short definition of the Anthropocene is explained in (Appendix XII)


                                                 The Project Brief MA Design.

The story of our natural habitats and wildlife through the eyes of an ecology-based design perspective to develop and debate strategies and outcomes for a better and greener world thorough our own personal lifestyle choices is of what I’m trying to develop and analyze as a designer and a consumer.(Appendix II)

"Purposely looking at ways to reduce the impact on the environment by choosing more eco sound production processes, materials and longevity of design principles to create the most economically ecology effective products or services."

                               Looking closely at my dissemination development

Initially I created imagery to add to a tote bag as a reason to promote environmental and conservational issues connected to plastic pollution of our oceans.
Semiotics is an interesting  research value within  product design imagery "Semiotics definition, the study of signs and sign -using behaviour. it was defined by one of its founders, the swiss linguist Ferninand De Saussure, as the study of the life of signs within society and include emojis, road signs and corporate logos" described in the Britannica dictionary.(https://www.britannica.com/science/semiotics.accessed Aug.2019)Tote bags for shopping have traditionally been used to advertise company logos brands, statements connected to human nature ie I love ?, be green, save the planet etc.
A product with a design on it to add social impact, is about communicating  above and beyond its function. 
However in this case a tote bag has a function on the basis that it removes single use plastic use when it is used in connection to shopping and directly links to the concerns of  the campaign advertised.  Tote bags can be added and used to promote proto types within the range of fabrics and wall art created and the philosophy is that tote bags can be added to many ranges of products to exclude plastic use within consumer trading. Donations from sales could can also go to environmental campaigns including Antarctica Ocean Sanctuary and therefore act as advertisement for social change and the use of raising funds. These products can also be used as part of a package when purchasing from many ranges (removing the need of unnecessary packaging).

Slogan used on the back of Tote bags to promote Antarctica from depleting and it's eventual total loss of ice caps.                    The Green Consumer The green consumer and green activist is someone who is passionate about ecology and concerned with saving the planets natural environment. As Green peace Explains “People are passionate about peace, passionate about positive change through action. Together we are unstoppable.(GreenPeace.org.uk accessed July.2018).Research suggests that brands that establish a reputation for sustainability can inherit a younger millennial consumer base and build on their reputation for sustainable products. One aspect is even more clearer is that people wanting sustainable products also expect quality and durability within their purchases. As the guardian points out , explaining recent governmental reports on consumer behaviour.(Appendix XIV)

Allotment Progress.

Allotment Development

 Farmland restoration and regenerative agriculture is part of a multitude of different processes that can reduce global warming by reducing emissions. Conservation agriculture which includes non tillage using organic fertilizers can reduce carbon emissions.Claiming back land which is currently laying to waste can also help emission outlay. 

I have been spending time weeding and pruning back trees ready for a better grope of apples and other fruits including a hidden raspberry crop I have found under weeds.I have also uncovered a small pond ideal for  small  invertebrates that can reduce small greenfly etc that can damage crops. Garlic can be planted using specially grown garlic cloves similar to seed potatoes which are easy to plant by dissecting individual gloves and planting 1 inch below soil. Sowing from seed is a process I am developing as I believe it is the most economic. Any money I am spending I am logging so I can access costs annually. Potentially a significant amount of global emissions, pollution and plastic waste can be reduced via a collective carbon footprint. Some small changes in lifestyle can help our plant rejuvenate and start to repair the damage that is currently occurring. 

                       

Eating Apple tree probably a Golden delicious variety

Chicken Shed with run to develop.

 Conservation Agriculture

There are a multitude of different approaches that can be developed to reduce climate change and in turn reduce emissions. Climate change science is developing new techniques and ideas continually, new advances in science in recent times have added much needed responses and solutions for our planet. Some of the most important solutions include renewable energy, forest protection better management of soil ans also marine conservation.  Draw down is a terminology which is being used which can not only describe a reduction in emissions but can also add a reversing narrative as well. Reversing climate change to a position that is neutral giving our planet the best possible change of conservation survival. 

18.11.18 Update image of Allotment.

Plenty of work as been achieved, however still plenty to do. Fish pond has been filled with water however unfortunately it has a leak. It will need a new liner. Burned a lot of rubbish during Bomb fire week and found a hidden raided bed. Currently I have digging up  compost from my back garden and I am filling raised beds. I was given a number of old window frames which I am going to make into glass covered raised beds. I have also started growing beans on window ledges.

January 2019 Digging has began.

The soil is currently soft and ideal time to lay a pathway and plan growing beds.

Seeds planted, test running a small amount.

Sunflowers

Woad shoots.


Larger area of soil dug, not much to go.

The soil has had some deep weed roots, brock the prongs on my fork.

This area is destined for potatoes and onions. The seed potatoes are bought.Decided to buy early potatoes so I could plant early. Get this veg growing show on the road.

May 2019 update.

Broad beans are on their way, flowering quite nicely. It's important to watch for black fly on these plants.

Potato crop is on its way.

Purple onions these will be ready in October.

Courgette plant. These should bare a lot of courgettes. I am needing to weed quite a lot and I am considering a striker with a battery as their is no electricity at the allotment.
 Seedlings Potting  out.

Once your seeds have grown in small pots, the next thing is to thin out and re pot. It’s not always necessary, however for fine seeds you get little seedlings which need there own space. The hand made pots made from newspaper makes this a lot easier as you can open them up and reveal the seedlings and roots without damageing.
Separating small seedlings into individual pots using hand made newspaper pots. 

Delicate hands are needed for this process. Pulling apart seedlings with care.

I have been using my new generator that runs on unleaded petrol. The ideal suituation would be to use solar power, however I need quite A high ratio of electricity and therefore have purchased this small portable generator from eBay. I have needed to strim back all the green areas as they became really over grown a good 3 ft of grass and nettles. I have been using an electric rotavator as doing by hand was too difficult. 

Currently I am waiting for seedlings to grow a little more before planting out carrots, Swiss rainbow chars and spinach.

New seedlings that have been separated and planted individually in hand made eco conscious upcycled newspaper pots that will decompose naturally allowing seedlings roots to grow outwards.