4. Consumption is…
one.
- The act or process of consuming
two.
- Use by or exposure to a particular
group or audience
three.
- The utilization of economic goods in the
satisfaction of wants or in the process of
production resulting chiefly in their
destruction, deterioration, or transformation
9. Statistics
…Inequalities in consumption are stark. Globally, the 20% of the world’s people in the
highest-income countries account for 86% of total private consumption expenditures -
the poorest 20% a minuscule 1.3%. More specifically, the richest fifth:
-Consume 45% of all meat and fish, the poorest fifth 5%
-Consume 58% of total energy, the poorest fifth less than 4%
-Have 74% of all telephone lines, the poorest fifth 1.5%
-Consume 84% of all paper, the poorest fifth 1.1%
-Own 87% of the world’s vehicle fleet, the poorest fifth less than 1%
10. Consumerism
Increasing issue around consumerism:
-How are products and resources we consume actually produced?
-What are the impacts of that process of production on the environment, society, on individuals?
-What are the impacts of certain forms of consumption on the environment, on society, on
individuals?
-What is a necessity and what is a luxury?
-How do consumption habits change as societies change?
-How do material values influence our relationships with other people?
-What impact does that have on our personal values?
"IF YOU HAVE TO ASK HOW MUCH IT COSTS, YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT" -
anonymous
11. Conspicuous Theory
“A Behavioral explanation for conspicuous consumption was provided by Thorstein
Veblen (1899) in his famous theory of “the leisure class”.
In his words, “In order to gain and hold the esteem of men, it is not sufficient merely to
possess wealth or power. The wealth or power must be put in evidence, for esteem is
only rewarded on evidence.”
“Keeping up with the Jones’”
12. Informative Movie
The Story of Stuff - Consumption (2007)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUeMVt3stAo
13. Trends of Consumption
Trends in Consumption of Raw Materials:
one.
- 1900-1995 within the USA
two.
- 1970-1995 within the World
three.
- 1995-Present
- Addressing our future
14. Material Flow Chart
Materials extracted from the Earth are necessary to produce our most
fundamental needs – food, clothing, and shelter. Materials are needed
to maintain and improve our standard of living. Understanding the
whole system of materials flow, from source to ultimate disposition,
can help us better manage the use of natural resources and protect the
environment.
17. Design and Planning - Food
Urban planning and socioeconomic factors affect food consumption:
• Planning more fast-food restaurants in inner-city areas.
• Less access to supermarkets for healthier food alternatives:
• Low average income and/or high population of renters 2 to 2.5x
more likely to have high access to fast-food.
Community zoning determining available food outlets:
• Restaurants
• Grocery stores
• Specialty food (bakery, fishmonger, butcher, fresh produce)
Kitchen design affects eating habits:
• Large, less-enclosed kitchen give visibility and easier access to food.
• Storage of large quantities of food give access to more consumption.
• Platescapes influence portions, which influence intake.
18. Design and Planning - Food
Designed environment’s affect on obesity and healthy living:
•Urban planning and landscape regard neighborhood streetscapes, outdoor paths and
lighting, and other natural effects to promote exercise and healthy lifestyle.
•Clothing designers and use of technology with fibers to create comfortable clothing to
promote physical activity.
•Industrial designers’ creation of products to promote healthy living
•Interior designers’ and architects’ design plans to encourage physical activity:
•Use of staircases for more physical activity when moving from one area to another
•Placement of windows for visual access to the outdoors
•Placement and convenience of doors to access the outdoors.
•Creating aesthetically pleasing elements in these and other areas.
19. Material Flow - Manufactured Goods
founder Ray C. Anderson has started a revolution - their vision is
“To be the first company that, by its deeds, shows the entire industrial world what
sustainability in all its dimensions: People, process, product, place and profits -
By 202 - and in doing so we will become restorative through the power of influence.”
20. Interiors
Think about impact on environment through smart decisions of materials and finishes in
homes, offices, schools, hotels, restaurants, and all built environments.
- Flooring - Appliances
- Fabrics - Plumbing fixtures
- Wall treatment - Landscape
- Window Coverings - Waste centers
21. Interiors- Sustainability
Sustainability Gap: the gap between current theory and the application of
sustainable practices in design.
5 Phases of for development of a sustainable design practice:
-Connection
-Knowledge
-Process
-Practice
-Commitment
22. MORE EFFORTS
PROMPTING PRO-EVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIORS
Design to make it easier:
•Placement of signage: reminders to turn off lights; signs directing to recycling bins.
•More bike lanes and bike racks to encourage alternative transportation.
•Education and hands-on learning for children to understand effects of consumption
through better school design: outdoor learning environments for biology, ecology; use of
rain barrels for catching runoff; use of greywater to irrigate outdoor learning space…
MOTTAINAI: concept that promotes respect for resources.
“A spirit of mottainai may contribute to a sense of shame in
wasting resources, in turn, creating a more positive
attitude towards frugality.
23. Question to the Class
one.
In terms of Consumption, what is something that you do that you feel guilty of?
Do you do this on a regular basis? Could you change your habit?
two.
What is something that you are proud of doing?
Is it an easy or hard task for you to undertake?
24. Real Success Stories
In 2000, San Francisco became the first major U.S. City to offer curbside
recycling for food waste. The city will then turn the composted
waste into animal feed, mulch and fertilizer.
25. Real Success Stories
Falls Church, Virginia was able to reduce its residential waste by 65%
(25% through recycling and 40% through composting) in 1997.
The effort also proved to be cost-effective, as the city was able to reduce
its solid waste management budget from $1.05 Million in 1990 to
$630,000 in 1997.
The city’s high percentage of waste diversion is primarily the result of
community involvement in education programs.
26. Moving Forward
one.
Any success stories that come to your mind?
two.
What can be done to move forward?
three.
Are there tasks that you will change in your everyday
lifestyle? Why or why not?
28. References
Sobal, Jeffrey, and Wansink, Brian, 2007; The Impact of the Environment on Eating Habits. InformeDesign
(vol 39, issue 1, p. 124-142).
Hemphill, Eric; Raine, Kim; Spence, John C.; and Smoyer-Tomic, Karen E., 2008; Socioeconomic Factors
and Fast Food Access. InformeDesign (vol 22, issue 6, p 436-432).
Fujii, Satoshi, 2006; Understanding What Prompts Pro-Environmental Behaviors. InformeDesign (vol 26,
issue 4, p. 262-268).
Sungbum, K., Oah, S., and Dickenson, A.M., 2005; Signage Improves Recycling in Public Places.
InformeDesign (vol 37, issue 2, p. 258-274).
Brauchle, G., Evans, G.W., Haq, A., Shapiro, E., Stecker, R., Wong, K., 2007; Children's Environmental
Values. InformeDesign (vol 39, issue 5, p. 635-659).
Over the Hedge clip, "Humans Live to Eat": www.spike.com/video/over-the-hedge-humans/2728004.
Definition 'consumption': www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consumption.
29. Evocative Interiors of Consumption
Presentation on Monday, Nov. 9 by Yvonne Noack & Tamara Van Tuyl
one.
In terms of Consumption, what is something that you do that you feel guilty of?
Do you do this on a regular basis? Could you change your habit?
two.
What is something that you are proud of doing?
Is it an easy or hard task for you to undertake?
