Ep.3 Heidrun Mumper-Drumm: Design=Form+Function+Sustainability
For the first time humans change the geological layer of the planet with extractions and solid waste that will be visible in centuries as the Anthropocene era. How can we improve that mark? In this episode, I interview Heidrun Mumper-Drumm, Director of Sustainability Initiatives at ArtCenter College of Design in Los Angeles. She shares easy-to-remember definition of sustainability:
3 E’s = Environment + Economy + Equity;
4 P’s = People + Planet + Profit + Policy.
We also discuss climate change, Anthropocene, sustainable design systems, and Life Cycle Assessment as a powerful tool to prototype an impact of future products and services. Heidrun touches on her projects with NASA, Nuclear and renewable energy, and sustainable design education.
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Episode Links and Notes:
United Nations definition of Sustainability: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the planet and the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Form + Function + Sustainability = Design (definition by Heidrun Mumper-Drumm).
Anthropocene era: the impact of collective human activity on biological, physical, and chemical processes on the Earth system, is assessed using stratigraphic criteria.
Two shorter and visual formulas of sustainability:
3 E’s = Environment + Economy + Equity;
4 P’s = People + Planet + Profit + Policy.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a methodology for assessing environmental impacts associated with all the stages of the life-cycle of a commercial product, process, or service.
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition is a membership-based collaborative making packaging industry more sustainable.
Green Blue is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to the sustainable use of materials in society.
Global Reporting Initiative is an international independent standards organization that helps businesses, governments and other organizations understand and communicate their impacts on issues such as climate change, human rights, and corruption.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a UK-based organization that aims to inspire a generation to re-think, re-design & build a positive future through a circular economy.
UNESCO is The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations aimed at contributing "to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.
Edible Culture, is a UK-based sustainable nursery specializing in growing herbs & vegetable plants without peat, chemicals & single-use plastic.
Interview Nominees:
Gun Denhart, founder of Hanna Andersson children’s clothing line from organic cotton.
Rebeca Mendez, an artist, designer, and Design Media Arts professor at UCLA, where she is founder and director of the CounterForce Lab, a research and fieldwork studio for art, design and environment.
CIndy Gilbert, VentureWell Sr Program Officer and former Founding Director of Biomimicry Institute.
