Brief over view of project

Poster for MA Show

The Poster used for the end of project show at University Lincoln.

MA studio in Design end of Degree Show June 2019.

Ecology Evolution Project

My project is about green issues, I have choice to develop my own inks for printing and have experimented with dying fabrics to find the right pigments using natural resources. This idea has come from the need for eco conscious values to be embedded into my art work.

The objective for my art work is to encourage social impact in regard to ecology issues linked to our depleting natural world within our oceans and more specifically protecting Antartica. My point has been to use visuals to encourage consumers and viewers to seek a deeper understanding of their own carbon foot print and to change their consumer behaviour to use less single use plastics.

The main issue I have decided to use within my set work is the current climate change emergency and have choicen a Green Peace Campaign ”Antarctica Ocean Santuary”

Imagery has been based around oceans and the need to save the worlds ecology and especially the need to reduce single use plastics.

I am hoping to encourage green living and to awaken the need to protect Antarctica via the need for everyone to consider their own carbon footprint and reduce their single use plastic purchases.

I have chosen a blog to record all my developments of which print making has been my main area of interest. The blog has been converted into a book which has become the main focus of my project showing my design journey in a comprehensive format.

Book conversion from my blog.(naturesarmour.blogdpot.com)

Side view of blog to book .MA Journals:Ecology Evolution.

Inside cover of MA Journals: Ecology Evolution.

Inside of MA Journals:Ecology Evolution 

Journal pages showing sketches :design developments.

Inside pages of blog to book conversion.

MA Journal : Ecology Evolution showing publishing lay out.

MA Journals Ecology Evolution : Printing developments.

I have used natural resources in my work and believe if a product can return to the earth without too much pollution ie compostable materials, then it’s a lot less environmentally destructive than man made plastics which take hundreds of years to decompose.

My MA project is about looking at how natural resources are depleting and how ecology is developing in order to create a better future for our planet and how traditional art can be intergrated within digital technology to create new imagery that encourages consumers to think in a more eco conscious value and by doing this can help with the reduction of carbon emissions to draw down climate change to save Antarctica from disappearing.

Eco Evo:Green Issues

Images of MA Show and MA Journal.

By Victoria Meadows

MA Design : Dissertation 

                                              History of Conservation of Nature

The beginning of conservation and respect for nature can be seen through history starting from early history of mankind when nature’s wildlife and seasons were incorporated into early religions i.e Sun gods, sacrifices to improve weather changes and harvests. Customs and ancient ceremonies to pay homage to the earth’s natural surroundings can be seen through different cultures around the world.

Specific laws were created in medieval times to protect woodland for the pleasure of nobility and royals. After the Norman conquest large areas of land were annexed using forest laws.

Some of the first conservation areas of the early medieval period were granted mainly so that landowners and royalty could hunt freely. Knowing there would not be any depletion of game in their private woods by making it illegal to poach on the kings lands

Forest laws were extended in the 18^th century called the black law, hanging people for encroaching on to Royal hunting grounds. These laws extended to overseas colonies of which the remnants are used to create conservation areas today. Re wilding is a relatively old theory which is being used today to create new Natural areas of land to help reach  drawdown to prevent global warming

Conservation needs of today go far more than previously has ever seen. Individuals can become a movement of people activism, campaigning and demanding change through group discussions and using the world web. I have challenged this theory through my blog "NaturesArmour,blogspot.com and through my dissemination I added my blog to social media, it is also currently life on line. I have received enough feedback to increase my page reviews by adding to community blogsites to increase awareness of climate change, lifestyle choices and green design strategies within design.

                                 Environmental Impact of Humans

Historically humans have been having an impact on our environment since evolution evolved our planet and homo Sapiens became the super power race against most predators. When as hunters and gathers humans started to farm and domesticate animals we can see climate change being effected by mankind’s lifestyle. 

During the late 19^th century within Industrial Revolution a number of Artists and critics voiced their concerns. In regard to pollution. (“If only the geologists would let me alone, I could do very well, but those dreadful Hammer’s! I hear the dink of them at the end of every cadence of the Bible verses”.(John Ruskin, letter to Henry Acland 1851).

 As the textile designer, poet and social activist William Morris explains the need that "Nature and History Morris asserted were, or at least ought to be, the two great teachers of mankind. This statement shows in part Morris's environmentist values and is connected to the pre-Raphaelite art movement that includes the aesthetic movement. His hatred for the industrial revolution is well documented. When researching textile history we can see great changes during the industrial revolution created by Britain's technical innovations resulting in social change.

                                          

        Textile Technologies/Handmade

 Within the twentieth and twenty-first century we are seeing new transformations of design, manufacture and consumer interaction. As it is explained in The Handbook of Textile Culture "In  a post-industrial culture the artisanal, material cultures once marginalized as lacking the authority of symbolic meaning, or the capacity for abstract thinking, are becoming reconsidered as a source of knowledge. Integrating the techne-technique and technologies of manufacturer by hand and machine". A new collaboration of the old and the new, techniques, philosophies and theories of knowledge. 

                                  

        Design Choices and Lifestyle Issues

“The Romantic movement which included aestheticism were protesting over the destruction of idyllic rural life for a world of dark Satanic Mills written in William Blake’s 1804 poem.” (Lewis and Maslin.2018.206). One of the earliest environmental needs based action campaigns was created by the artist/poet Sir William Blake. He started an organization called the coal smoke abatement society which was founded in Richmond in 1898 which resulted in the smoke abatement Act including soot, ash and gritty particles.

Another well known campaign that ended in a riot was in Nottinghamshire when “artisanal textile workers broke machines to defend their wages against further declines. Known as the Luddites they began in Arnold, Nottingham, on 11^th March 1811, with over two thousand people marching and then smashing sixty-eight spinning frames”.(Lewis and Maslin,2018.206). 

Scientific revolution sprung into the new industrial world. An example of this is when in 1824 Joseph Aspdin patented a chemical process known as Portland cement which has since revolutionized building techniques. Electricity, the invention of the light bulb and the use of fossil fuels have contributed to today’s global warming.

A lot of new knowledge came out of the 19^th century including Darwin’s theory of evolution which set religious philosophy against scientists in fact Darwin did not publish his papers due to concerns via ridicule from religious leaders.

"In their seminal work, Cloth and Human Experience, Weiner and Schneider(1991) remark that 'complex' moral and sexuality, find ready expression through cloth. Indeed they argue, 'cloth has further organizational of social and political life', evoking ideas of tying or bringing together many different kinds of publics whether through the banners of the Suffragettes and Trade Unions or the wrapping of the fences at Greenham Common, or the laying down of Aids quilt or through addressing issues and relations that are not pre-given through kinship but are produced in gatherings and cooperations." (Jefferies.J.Wood Conroy.D.Clark.H(2018)The hand book of textile Culture.Bloomsbury.)

              

                                   Carbon Dioxide Spike

 Scientists are working across the globe

 researching how environmental strategies across the globe are being carried out in order to keep current and develop new emerging  techniques to reverse global warming. 

http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence(14.08.2019 3.00pm)this graph is based on the comparison of atmospheric samples contained in ice cores and more recent direct measurements, provides evidence that atmospheric C02, has increased since the industrial revolution.

   Ocean Theme

Oceans and sea creatures have been depicted within art and design since ancient Greeks and Romans and other ancient cultures, tribes and religions. I have chosen to use oceans, wildlife, natural flora, nautical imagery as my focus in order to improve knowledge of conservation and marine ecology of our oceans. The oceans contain a huge variety of life recent estimations conclude their are up to 2 million species found in and around coral reefs, the sea produces around half of all oxygen we breath( thanks to phytoplankton, tiny single cell ocean plants). The ocean also sequences large amounts of dangerous carbon dioxide. The ocean regulates our climate, cool waters soak up heat from the sun, they are a big part of our life support system. It is estimated that that 8 million tonnes of plastic waste is dumped in our oceans and it is set to double by 2025

Environmentalists

Ocean biologist Jacque Cousteau (1910-1997) was an inspiration when I was growing up and also for many people interested in ocean environmental and conservation issues.

Recently Jaques Cousteau’s grandson has been part of a series of documentaries highlighting environmental and conservation issues of our planets oceans. He specializes in oceanography which is looking into scientific aspects of our oceans to better understand what is happening due to pollution and global warming issues.

His grandson has recently also highlighted concerns in regard to melting ice gaps in Antarctica and has explained present forecasts are not accurate.

This graph by Nasa on line shows up to date figures going back to 1979.

                  

                                                                A clip from CNN News on Jacque Cousteau

The Harvest

I have been picking a lot of different types of beans dwarf green beans, purple dwarf beans, runner beans and dwarf beans. They have been great to add to stir fries and curries. I am currently growing some petit pous as my peas I harvest in July. My aubergines, chillies and peppers are doing well and I some Gouds growing currently. Also trying to grow lettuce leafs in fabric pots.

Plenty of runner beans, aubergines, rainbow chard , tomatoes and chillies.

The Anthropocene Epoc

 My applied research problem is how design within Art and Design materials can contribute within carbon neutrality as a priority to reduce climate change.

Abstract

"The epidemic psychosis of our time is the lie of believing we have no ethical obligation to our planetary home" Theodore Roesak"
Heritage and artisan beliefs are a continuous part of my practice inspired through critical campaigns regarding saving our planet i.e. Greenpeace Campaigns Strategies discouraging destructive pollution via development of sustainable materials. Linked to ethical philosophy and life style living choices for each and every one of use to draw down climate change.

 

                                     Marketing  Green Issues

 

My project  creative direction is about marketing ideas and current debates to encourage consumers and viewers to seek a deeper understanding of ecology. 

These debates, actions and new emerging strategies can be packaged into various product ideas including screen printing inks, drawing inks and the packaging required i.e. bio plastic development and recycled waxed paper for marketing sustainable art materials for art and design purposes.

While testing inks and new developments within packaging I will be developing visual art incorporating campaign strategies to encourage society to draw down climate change through appropriate lifestyle choices.

 

Aims and objectives

What are the current benefits and drawbacks to developing greener and more sustainable materials for art and design and how can designers currently promote ecology issues to a broader audience to discourage the use of non-biodegradable materials which are having a devasting effect on our planet. It is my intention to research where the current problems are with climate change and which non-biodegradable products are causing the most harm.

Combating climate change is a key inspiration for developing inks for screen printing I recognised a need to look at some of the ingredients to find new bio degradable sustainable alternatives. Through analysing my sustainable inks through my previous practice linked to my master’s degree, I developed inks using natural dye methodsfor screen printing. I recognised the need to look at some of the ingredients to find biodegradable sustainable alternatives. Once I started developing the inks I recognised the need for sustainable packaging removing plastic waste via developing a natural based resin /bioplastic or waterproof cardboard made from recycled paper. These ideas are a natural research development available to me to develop further. While continuing to develop and excel in making natural inks. A development in order to create a sustainable future for art and design products making creative practices even more sustainable to keep our planets biodiversity for ourselves and our planets plants and animals. Looking deeply into how my research can impact and draw down carbon emissions to reduce climate change. Sharing this knowledge and also creating art that promotes and encourages change within societies current effects on global warming is how I intend to extend my art and design practice further.

 

The need for carbon neutrality within creative industries is a key direction for all aspects of the design industry. Sustainability has and will always be a key direction for my own creative practice and lifestyle choices. (both being integral within my own carbon footprint)

I am researching a number of key strategies to become neutral within me 

design practice.

“Carbon Neutral status can be achieved in two ways. Balancing carbon dioxide emissions with carbon neutral processes, often through carbon off setting, or the process of removing or sequencing carbon dioxide from atmosphere to make up for emissions elsewhere” (Wikipedia)

Keeping our natural surroundings is important, rewilding brown land currently polluted is also a requirement to put back our natural world in order to drawdown climate change.

While studying my MA, I recognised the need to promote visually within my design practice the need to link to global campaigns reflecting the need to protect our natural world by reducing our single use plastic waste. 

Finding ways to reduce waste is an important strategy, looking at ways to reduce this made me think about how to make my designs more sustainable.

 Researching my own inks for drawing and printing has become part of my research. I have more research to develop including researching developing biodegradable resins/plastics/waterproof cardboard for packaging eco conscious inks using local sustainable resources.

Finding ways to reduce waste is an important strategy, looking closely and in more detail is part of current research. I have realised there is so much more research I can achieve within this area; my MA was purely the test run for a bigger more important research development. My preferred method of research analysis and documentation is through a detailed journal through my online blog and traditional sketch books. I find this a useful storage system which I can also receive feedback from. My iPhone app makes it simple and easy to develop. This way of processing information gives me access to producing hardback journals which gives a tactile and easy way to see a lot of research easily through page flicking. 

I find this a valued way to personally reflect and evaluate my research in a clear and organised way.

 

Keeping our biodiversity landscape is important for our plant’s survival.

Continuing my research into using local natural resources to create art resources for myself and also to create research that can be utilised by others to reduce waste is part of my current philosophy-based design practice, working and collaborating inside community projects is a direction I am developing forward.

Due to current lockdown processes I am also proposing online podcasts, workshops and collaborative discussions on creative practice  and carbon neutrality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Research Question/Hypothesis

 

The values and ethics of sustainable materials development for art and design practice is an ever-developing question. My research questions encompass the potential benefits of sustainable materials for art and design including printing inks/resins/bioplastics. Developing printing inks for my practical design practice to encourage consumers by promoting a greener more sustainable lifestyle “promoting the natural world researching what the key points are for environmental conservation. Creating packaging to co-inside with ink and ingredients needed to produce a current carbon neutrality-based product for art and design use.

 

Considering the current and previous schools of thought in regard to land ecology and usage the following statement applies to be analysed.

“The measure of economic success must include the health of our air, water, soils, climate and wildlife.

In comparison the 20^thcentury strategy which is still being processed in the majority of land management across the globe is “ The only important measure of economic success is GDP, growth rates , profits, share prices.” Social and economic pressures on the environment are multi-faceted ,however plastic waste is having a devasting effects on global marine life (oceans covering 70% of the earth) makes it a very important research area. Currently 8 million tons of plastic waste enters our oceans every year. Due to current global warming icecaps are melting and more specifically Antarctica and Artic landscapes are melting at a dramatic level, effecting oxygen levels in turn reduces ice algae which is fundamental important for our oceans and food chain for all living creatures in our oceans. Pollution is impacting on millions of people who depend on the marine environments.

“Hence, scientists, governments ,international organizations, such as the United Nations(UN) , European Union(EU) and the world at large continue to invest money ,time, energy, and resources to find a permanent solution to the issue.” (09.02.21/res.mdpi.com sustainability 2020,12,8677;doi:10.3390/su12208677)

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction /Background/Rational

 

 

Researching current attitudes in regard to protecting wildlife is an essential research in order to find new ways of protecting are wildlife and encouraging health and prosperity for both humans and nature. Natures wildlife areas are decreasing, and humans are encroaching on wildlife areas opening up potential problems including Covid 19 viruses currently taking over the world predicted to be due to wild animal meat being sold in live markets in china, social and economic analysis being a fundamental reason for why the world health is currently underpinned with global crisis.

·      In these challenging times it’s important to find out why we are currently inside of a global pandemic, our natural world is depleting, and humans and wildlife are becoming entwined in desperate environments. Wildlife environments have a multi-etude of viruses still unknown to science when a wild virus mutates. We need to find answers to reduce pollution, increase wildlife areas, create more wildlife sanctuaries across the globe and life sustainable life styles. If we do not strive for these goals the world will continue to create more mutated viruses creating global chaos including 

dangerous weather situations due to climate change.

·      Researching current data on carbon neutral product development and also current attitudes  towards climate change and lifestyle behaviour via research questions  and data will help in order to strategies key information in regard to reducing waste for future art and design material developments.

 

 

Plastic waste in our oceans and rivers has hit an all-time high and is set to double in the next 10 years, combating this problem has been exasperated via our current global pandemic with the use of disposable PPE. 

Researching climate change, our oceans and our ever-reducing Antarctic icecaps are my main areas of research. Finding information out on current data and strategizing ways in which lifestyle choices within purchasing and behaviour can help reduce climate warming and draw down climate temperature changes to reduce and remove the current climate emergency is where I want my research to take.

Looking closely at the impact’s plastic waste has on the health of ecosystems and humans and how design developments can help in the pursuit of carbon neutrality.

 Consumption of sustainable materials is a key factor in reducing waste using materials that are organic that will decompose within a natural environment which does not pollute is fundamentally important , the complexities of pollution, climate change and species extinctions. Reducing chemical use is a key factor in reducing green house gases, 30 percent of green house comes from food production, chemical use means more water is used which also effects climate change.

 

Antarctica is depleting at a fast level, 70% of Antarctica ice has already melted in the last 30 years.600 tons of ice is being lost at sea. Methane is being expelled in mass quantities which was previously frozen. Methane is far more potent than carbon monoxide. Recent research has predicted a reduction in current carbon dioxide global absorption rates C02  via plants, oceans, soils at 50% may be coming to an end the new Anthropocene era where by humans are effecting the eco system in away that is changing and modifying our plant in a considerable way which has meant we have reached a tipping point which could spell a complete change in every single component of our global cycle i.e. deforestation, urbanization, food production changes in our chemical  and ecological composition of our oceans, ocean eradication and de-oxygenation all of which will mean humans and animals will have less and less food oxygen and habitats to live in. All of which of which are essential in a growing populated world. The choices of today that we make will affect the choices of our future generations and the biodiversity of our natural world.

Researching bio-plastics, no chemical inks and using local natural materials for art and design materials will add to the ever-growing demand for low carbon emission products for the future.

What are the potential benefits of sustainable printing inks on drawing down global warming and the benefits of sustainable packaging on our plant’s future.

 

 

Theoretical Perspectives

 

“Marine plastic pollution as an emerging Anthropocene risk.

 

Human activities are capable of changing the normal functioning of Earth-system processes in ways that amplify risks to societies worldwide. One of the most conspicuous anthropogenic activities is the manufacturer, use and disposal of plastic. This synthetic material is so widespread throughout the environment that plastic is now considered as a geographical maker of the Anthropocene, the emerging epoch in which humans activities have a decisive influence on the state, dynamics and future of the earths system. Most plastics took of rapidly since the 1950’s, shaping the development of modern society. Global production of plastic resin increased from 1.5 billion tons in 1950’s, to 322 million tons in 2015. Estimates are during 2010, between 4.8 and 12.7 million tons of mis-managed land based plastic waste entered the oceans. The absolute amount is difficult to calculate, due to the many different sources and environmental transport pathways, but marine plastic pollution(MPP) is now ubiquitous in marine environment”(journal: marine policy www.elsvier.com/locate/marpol)

“From a stratigraphic perspective, there is a clear Anthropocene threshold between pre-plastic and post plastic systems, but for a chemical pollutant to pose a planetary boundary threat, it’s environmental exposure and/or its disruptive effects must be poorly reversed. Marine plastic pollution will always fulfil this condition, as the ultimate end-fate of most mis-managed plastics is in the ocean..

 

 The ubiquity of plastic debris and the feasibility of its substantial removal from the marine environment, especially in the case of micro- sized particles , mean that exposure is essentially irreversible. Recent estimates suggest the presence of a least 5 trillion plastic pieces floating in the oceans. Plastic material has been observed in most domains of the physical environment, including biosphere, cryosphere's, ocean sediments and even the atmosphere, to the extent that lately been considered a stratigraphic marker of Anthropocene. MPP is accumulating around the convergence zones in the five subtropical ocean gyres and the Arctic Ocean. These large-scale accumulation zones are a consequence of the effects of winds, ocean’s surface currents and the thermohaline circulation. Furthermore, concentrations comparable to those in the subtropical gyres have been recorded close to highly populated areas such as the Mediterranean Sea, Bay of Bengal, South China Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Organisms ingesting and later egesting MPP also play a role in the global distribution of plastic particles. The biological pathway cannot be halted or reversed. The weathering of microplastics is a major source of the micronized plastic particles currently present in the marine environment. The main mechanisms for this are degradation by mechanical wave action,UV photodegradation, and changing genetic diversity. These properties cannot be inactivated. 

Recent studies also highlight the importance of land-based breakdown of textile fibres as a source of microplastic. Thus , even if inputs of microplastic debris in the marine environment will inevitably continue to increase with an associated outlook of shifting exposure and complex effects on different ecosystems. A major uncertainty relates to the disruption of systemic connections between the physical and the living components of the Earths system. Here carbon sequestration illustrates the issues because the global carbon cycle is one of the biophysical foundations of the earth system. It links ocean processes with the atmosphere, biosphere, and terrestrial environment and plays a vital role in balancing the climate system. Mechanisms can be envisaged where MPP affects the ability of the oceans to sequester carbon  into the major global reservoirs of deep-water bodies and ocean sediments, biological and physicochemical means.

The consequences on the carbon cycle would only be detectable on a global scale, and after a considerable time lag. A biologically-mediated disruption to the long-term storage of carbon could occur if biological processes at the base of the ecosystem functions are altered because of the presence of plastic. MPP could alter marine populations through booms or collapses, including the extinction of keystone  species. MPP may also have the capacity to cause a biophysically-mediated disruption. The flux faecal pellets are an important component of the biological pump of carbon(including anthropogenic atmospheric carbon) to ocean sediments. Microparticles of polystyrene alter the properties and sinking rates of faecal pellets egested by marine zooplankton. Particulate material could thus interfere with the flow of carbon nutrients in the water column, affecting  the regulation of global  biogeochemical flows in turn affecting  the future trophic chains. The physical burial  of plastic materials may also  represent a shift in long term carbon storage, since it does not share the element ratio of living material. Recent estimates for the marine plastic debris range from between 86 and 150 million tons of plastic. A large fraction of the plastic known to of entered the surface ocean is not currently accounted for. It is ultimate fate is to be deposited(directly or through the biota) onshore or on the sea floor."

 

"MPP is a globally sustainability challenge, a clear example of the tragedy of commons, difficult to manage and govern globally. Plastic waste is being addressed by multinational frameworks."  (journal home-page : www.elsever.com).

 

The Anthropecene;Making sense of the climate change 

 

 

 

“A good short definition of the Anthropocene is the epoch where human component of the earth system is large enough to affect how it functions. When the scale of human impact is that large, the corresponding solutions to major human problems will often end up being large and so may have unintended consequences for the Earth system and for us. This is a key draw back of using geoengineering techniques such as reflecting some of the Sun’s energy back to space as a way of solving our emission problem. But even under the hopeful scenario of meeting the Paris Agreement goals, the planet would be further transformed to the detriment of some of the world’s most diverse habitats. The main stream positive and progressive storyline of solving climate change substitutes one disaster for another. The delay-climate-action-and-make-nature-pay-later story is not a wise one to tell ourselves. In essence it is still the old religious idea of human dominating nature rendered in mathematical equations. Much less destructive pathways are possible to limit global warming, but within the norms of the current consumer capitalist mode of living they are too easily discarded as “unrealistic”, so the public and the policy makers never even ever hear them. These difficulties suggest that for a global network of interconnected cultures to thrive in the Anthropocene a suite of much more radical interventions may be required.(P399, The human Planet.How we created the Anthropocene. Lewis.S.L,Maslim.MA.Penguin.2018)

Climate Change Debate

Climate Change Emergency.

25 years ago there was another young activist.

climate Change Debate

This week many people across the globe have been demonstrating for climate change through actively grouping together and marching.Collectively requesting that governments create more opportunity to encourage and create more green environments, more sustainable energy.The removal of plastic waste, the need to save the destruction of our natural habitats and to stop the current tipping points of our climate change future. Protecting current species and prevent the extinction of our wildlife and bio diversity.

In order to do this we all need to change our habits, consider what we are buying and what effect our purchases are doing to the environment. Considering greener products, removing unnecessary plastics from our individual shopping bags us one way of achieving this. Using our own re usable water bottles, buying glass bottled milk, shopping locally at farm.shops and local stores that don’t use single use plastics is one simple yet important aspect if every day life. If we all make current changes we can help maintain a greener environment and reduce climate change.
The following manifesto has been created by the Marine Conservation society to lay down what is needed to improve Oceans and marine life.

Green Issues in Design :Overview

                                                                                                          5
                                                            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.