Most consumers understand their own carbon footprint is contributing to climate change. The average world wide carbon footprint per person is 5 tons (CO2e). The “planet” can only absorb 1.5 tons per person with out increasing global warming, so people need to dramatically reduce their carbon footprint or face an ever increasing hostile planet.
By using Eco Product Design methods, we can create products that have a lower carbon footprint and enable consumers to use less energy, lowering their personal footprint.
For example let’s consider the design of a BBQ to save energy and encourage people to eat less meat.
The lid of the BBQ should be insulated, and have a label on promoting meat free alternatives. It should use renewable electricity not charcoal. This avoids burning wood and adding more harmful particulates in the air.
The legs, chassis and handle could be made from wood, reducing manufacturing and recycling emmisions. Steel has a much higher embedded carbon footprint so we should try to reduce it’s use. The BBQ should be flat packed to reduce shipping emmisions and be easily dismantled for recycling. At the same time it needs to look good and give consumer confidence.
The Ninja Woodfire Pro XL looks good, cooks well and can use renewable electricity while still having a micro wood pellet heater for authenticity. This would appeal to consumers wanting to impress friends while still lowering their carbon footprint.
The Ninja BBQ is a lower carbon footprint option but is unlikely to enable someone to achieve a 1.5 ton footprint. Not buying a BBQ and instead cooking inside using renewable electricity would even better.
Click the eco design tab to learn about eco product design.
Click the extinction tab to learn about climate change.
Click the extinction tab to learn about climate change.