Video Reflection 2 : An Inconvenient Truth

An Inconvenient Truth video : http://vimeo.com/16335777

The Earth is billions of years old, and relative to its life, it has suffered a dramatic downfall. This is all because of us humans, the dominant inhabitant of the planet, scouring for finite resources, burning them up, and destroying the planet in the meantime. Steep population growth has called for exceeding rates of industrialisation in the world, to accomodate for the needs of the many. However, how this is being done is killing the Earth we live on; and in turn killing the human race.

The video conveys how our lifestyles are depleting the Earth of its resources, and are emitting waste into our atmosphere. So essentially we are destroying the planet from the inside, as well as the outside. Therefore we ask, What happens when we go too far? What will the future be like? These are the compelling questions that the planet faces today, and the future generations will have to face.

So why doesn't the world change?  Money. Money and consumerism is what is unfortunately making the world turn in this age. Also change takes time, social behaviours and lifestyles can change overtime, if constantly encouraged. This can include, a more heavy use of public transport, using energy efficient products, and overall having a ecological perspective of life, all in an effort to reduce carbon emissions.

As of now, there is an ongoing push for more ecologically sustainable lifestyles, through new products coming into market. As industrial designers, it is our obligation to the world to continue pushing new products that encourage ecological sustainability. Overtime, current and old products that consume a lot of resources and electricty, will phase out eventually with the newer friendlier products replacing them. And from there the process continues, with even more ecologically advanced products and technologies replacing the older eco products.

This is something designers should aspire to, in creating products and ideas that benefit the world, and prolong the future of the planet.

Take home messages :
- There may be no future or future generations if we keep living the way we are.
- As designers, we must aspire to create ideas and products which are ecologically sustainable, and encourage a social change in the way we live.
- Change takes time, but individual efforts still make a difference sicne the world is full of individuals