Problems of self-assurance and sustainable technology

"Scarcity thinking also allows us unpack to some of the accepted “truths” of sustainability." -Till

We have an somewhat too optimistic tendency to cling on to the hope that somewhere along the way a newfound technology will come along and solve all our problems for us. Likewise what we currently consider are sustainable practices still aren't ideal solutions for the problems we are facing. This mindset at its at worst allows environmentally destructive behavior to continue with a false sense of security. Till described an example in where the existence of solar panels created such a reassurance for those using them that they were now comfortable consuming more energy. Which negated any net benefits that having solar panels would have provided. 

As designers being additive with sustainable systems is a very tempting approach. Not every system is as perfect as we like to believe and adding them to projects can produce some false positives for us. Architects can tend to white wash a project as sustainable when in reality it doesn't quite perform as well as intended. Our current sustainable systems are still far from perfect. Solar panels require so much square footage to be effective that they are often not feasible in projects. Wind farms are an effective renewable resource, but the production and the massive industrial undertaking of their construction are still very taxing and destructive on our environment. We've learned in the past century how damaging hydro-electric power can be to ecosystems. Many people are also justifiably cautious about nuclear power too. 

Sustainable design should still utilize and rely on technology and systems, but it needs to shift more towards behavior and performance. As in how to make the most of space, materials, energy, and people.