With 2024 tracking to set a new global temperature record—surpassing the high reached just last year—and with an obvious uptick in human suffering due to war, social upheaval, political strife, and environmental degradation everywhere, the urgency for meaningful action is undeniable. Man’s negative impact on the planet is now unmistakable, driving home the need for swift and transformative change. And with recent election results in the United States alongside less progressive regime shifts happening around the world, we are at a critical juncture.

But none of this is news. Climate change and social inequality have both been trending for a while.

What gives me hope is design. The power of design is truly not to be underrated. Design is everywhere, in everything. And designers themselves are perfectly positioned to implement responsible design practices and evangelize circular economy principles. In my role at iF Design, I spend considerable time reflecting on what defines great design. It is increasingly clear that great design—from the past, for today, and in the future—is sustainable.

Sustainability in this view is not just about the environment. It’s about reimagining a better future for us all. It’s about improving health outcomes and general well-being, promoting economic growth, and enhancing the quality of life across this planet. Too often in the design industry and certainly in business, sustainability is viewed as a constraint, something that........

© Fast Company