Speculative design — How do we view the relationship between low carbon and consumption?
Sustainable Innovation— Carbon Emission Visualization
When we talk about carbon emission reduction, the first thing that comes to mind is how to reduce carbon emissions in the production field. Carbon emission reduction not only involves production, it is also an important part of the consumption field.
Introduction
This interactive device shows the environmental impact of consumer purchases. Whenever we consume an item, the cash register display can quickly calculate the price of each item and the carbon emissions of the raw materials used, and trigger the release of the corresponding amount of carbon dioxide gas into a container filled with plants, as the Plants begin to wilt as carbon dioxide levels rise, providing a visual metaphor for the impact of consumerist behavior on the planet’s environment.
Inspiration
My minimalist lifestyle inspires my designs. It serves as my sustainable living philosophy and keeps me away from materialism and consumerism, and reducing consumer behavior helps reduce mass production and the degradation of natural resources.
Background research
I want to understand the origins of consumerism. Why has it become a controversial topic in modern society? While it drives economic development, what negative impacts does it have on the earth?
To stimulate the economy after World War II, the capital market promoted a culture of consumerism. Stimulate people’s desire to consume through advertising, product design, and product packaging, forming a consumer society.
Consumption can promote economic development, but the alienation of consumption, excessive consumption, and overconsumption have led to increased natural resource consumption and carbon emissions, thus triggering resource crises and environmental crises.
From the current situation, consumption is driving Africa’s climate crisis
“African countries are on the front lines of the climate crisis”
United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for African Affairs Says.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme’s 2020 Emissions Gap Report. Household consumption currently accounts for about two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions. As residents’ living standards continue to improve, this proportion will continue to rise.
The most typical example is fast fashion consumption. I used two different pictures to compare the happiness of two groups of people. They both have the same happiness, but the source of it is completely different.
Desk Research： The environmental impact of the consumer industry
I use desktop research to find the specific impact of current consumer industries on the environment.
The most common result is fast fashion. Fashion production accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions. The most serious impact is on the raw materials required for its manufacturing process, such as cotton, microplastics, leather, and water. These materials not only harm the human living environment but also lead to rising carbon concentrations.
Another thing related to fast fashion is shopping bags. While we enjoy the convenience, and forget its harm. Although many brands have started using eco-friendly shopping bags, most of the low-price brands still use plastic bags, and plastic rubbish affects all types of biomes and organisms. Plastics are made from petroleum, and petroleum requires a large amount of fossil fuels to be fully burned. The greenhouse gases produced during the combustion process will lead to the greenhouse effect.
The survey found that another reason is that the consumption habits of high-income groups exacerbate global warming. According to a 2020 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute, about half of global carbon emissions in 2015 came from the richest 10% of the population.
The richest 1% of the world’s population accounts for 15% of global carbon emissions, almost twice as much as the poorest 50% of the world’s population.
For example, Bill Gates emitted 1,600 tons of greenhouse gases in 2017, which is equivalent to the average annual carbon emissions of 105 Americans. And he is a world-famous environmental advocate.
If we don’t control it, how bad will the situation get?
In 2030, the per capita carbon emission target is 2.3 tons of carbon dioxide, while the richest 1% will have 30 times this standard, and the poorest 50% will not meet the carbon emission standard.
Through research, I understand that the poorest people in the world have the lowest carbon footprints, but are experiencing the most severe climate change.
Insight
In conclusion, it was found that consumption and carbon emissions are directly related. So I want to visualize the harm caused by consumption to express that carbon emissions are beyond imagination and are extremely harmful to our living environment.
Ideation
My idea is to design a device that interacts with the checkout counter and carbon emissions. It is hoped that consumers can quickly calculate the price of each item and the carbon emissions of the raw materials used when paying, and trigger the release of the corresponding amount of carbon dioxide gas into the container with plants. Plants begin to wilt as carbon dioxide levels increase, providing a visual metaphor for the impact of consumerism on the planet’s environment.
My idea is to design a device that interacts with the checkout counter and carbon emissions. It is hoped that consumers can quickly calculate the price of each item and the carbon emissions of the raw materials used when paying, and trigger the release of the corresponding amount of carbon dioxide gas into the container with plants. Plants begin to wilt as carbon dioxide levels increase, providing a visual metaphor for the impact of consumerism on the planet’s environment.
Brainstorming
I drew four different sketches related to the cashier system. I discussed several plans with my friends who like to shopping. In the end, everyone agreed that plan D was the most suitable because its design structure is complete and consistent with real payment scenarios, and the huge spherical container with plants inside will give consumers a strong sense of visual feeling.
I drew four different sketches related to the cashier system. I discussed several plans with my friends who like to shopping. In the end, everyone agreed that plan D was the most suitable because its design structure is complete and consistent with real payment scenarios, and the huge spherical container with plants inside will give consumers a strong sense of visual feeling.
Design principles and interactions
After finalizing the draft, I used Rhino for modeling, adjusted the proportions and angles of the device, and used aluminum alloy material for rendering.
After finalizing the draft, I used Rhino for modeling, adjusted the proportions and angles of the device, and used aluminum alloy material for rendering.
During the device involves different functions, I need to consider the following aspects during the production process:
1.【 Checkout counter】The display screen needs to show the consumption amount and the carbon content of the raw materials of the item.
2.【 Information visualization】The UI information must be simple and easy to understand.
3.【 Device structure】 Carbon inside the device is piped to the plants in the container. Plants show obvious changes under the influence of carbon.
4.【Human factors】The proportions of the device, such as the height of the scanning sensor and the goods placement platform need to be consistent with the average human height.
In the future, this carbon cashier device can be used in various shopping malls, especially in the fast-moving consumer goods and luxury goods industries.
After all, these consumer groups create a large carbon footprint. At the same time, I also hope that it can be used as teaching material in schools and companies to make more people aware of environmental crises and that I can make some contribution to the world.
