Annie Leonard’s Story of Stuff: Cap and Trade

How should the industrial design community react to the climate change solution discussed in this movie?

The climate change solution discussed in Cap and Trade is dangerous as it allows for companies to bypass offsetting permits through loopholes. As industrial designers we are (and should be) implementing sustainability into our designs. "You can't solve a problem with the thinking that created it"; I think the industrial design community can create a big impact and change the way companies yield pollutants. By encouraging designs and products manufactured to be manifested from renewable resources we can initiate a step towards "eliminating negative environmental impact through skilful, sensitive design" (McLennan, J. F. (2004), The Philosophy of Sustainable Design).

"Government distribute a certain amount of permit to pollute, reducing permits further reaching goal" Ultimately the government are the power makers that can enforce such laws, however the industrial design community together with public citizens can influence the powers. The government should encourage companies to utilize renewable energies through subsidization that supports these actions. As environmental design becomes widespread, integrated sustainable design processes will eventually help reduce the ecological debt when companies adopt sustainable design standards. Government and educational institutions are promoting sustainable and environmental practices with design impact measures dictating the design process from the types of materials to energy efficiency from manufacture and quality and durability of the product.

As Annie Leonard mentions towards the end, "it's time to design a climate solution that will really work not just address current problems". In reaction to the past generation's accumulation of global environmental crises (involving depletion of natural resources, ecosystems and biodiversity as a result of rapid growth of industrial and economic activity) social and environmental sustainability practices should retain a core position behind all industrial designs. I believe we have the ability to change the future, right our past generation's mistakes and improve and preserve the environment for future generations.