The Upcycle summary

When people hear “environmentally conscious products,” usually one thing comes to mind – pricey. But this common assumption is far from true. That’s because, when done right, ecological product design is more efficient, and therefore cheaper, than more mainstream production.

For instance, we’re working toward technology that will make buildings extremely energy efficient, which means even more savings down the road. Soon, buildings will be able to use artifactual lighting – lighting that’s part artificial, part natural; buildings equipped with this technology would require artificial lighting for a mere 40 days out of the year. Obviously, this means major energy savings.

If you listen to politicians or so-called “experts” in the media, you’d probably think that we’re facing an energy problem. But are we?

Actually, nature abounds in energy. We just need to learn how to harness it in a sustainable way. For example, wind energy, an omnipresent source, is becoming more and more accessible thanks to ongoing research. Not just that, but some states are even trying to help their citizens profit from it.

Naturally, a greener economy is appealing, but it won’t just descend from on high. To get our economy green, we’ll need guidelines and principles that help us meet that goal. That’s exactly what the Hannover Principles are – a rulebook for people or businesses aiming to support a green economy.

First established for the 2000 World’s Fair in Hannover, Germany, these guidelines provide an orientation for designers of all types on how to support nature and human welfare while also advancing technology. Crucial to the list is the need to concentrate on the interdependence of the economy and ecology. That’s because it’s always discouraging to see companies put their bottom line first only to arrive at solutions that are only slightly less detrimental than the ones they had before.