Reading Reflection 03

Diving into the rest of Cradle to Cradle was quite eyeopening. The first chapter goes into brief detail about the Industrial Revolution and its effects. I was shocked by the statistics that the authors gave stating that 90% of all the products we use turn straight into waste. They go on to talk about how being less bad is no good. They disagree that it is inevitable that damage will be done to the environment and think that we need to work towards eliminating the damage altogether. They really bring to light the amount of toxins and chemicals that are in products that we use daily and never stop to think how and what the products are made from and how they could not only affect us and our health but the environment. The authors made a very interesting point that by using recycling bins and other eco-efficient initiatives we are not stopping the harm to the Earth we are just slowing down the deterioration slightly. I had never thought about it that way to be honest. I never realized that it was possible that the things they were using to make these environmental friendly products might actually be causing damage itself. Chapter 3 really put things into perspective for me because while I was reading the beginning of the book I kept thinking that they had a great point and idea but how would they actually implement it. Their solution of "eco-effectiveness" makes a ton of sense. Instead of spending time reducing, we should be spending our time and energy coming up with a completely new game plan to eliminate future damage. The fact that they portrayed their idea through the actual presentation of the book makes the idea real. I really learned a lot when reading about how biological and technical nutrients work within nature. Biological nutrients are products that can be returned to the Earth and that we have to capability to design the majority of products as these nutrients. The ones that cannot be biological nutrients are technical nutrients which can be reused to make new products. Having known this information I do not understand why designers would ever implement "unmarketables" into their products which are hard to recycle and are considered hazardous. After having my eyes opened to this I cannot understand why humans would ever begin to make products which could not safely be returned into the soil. Clearly nature has never had a problem producing what it needs and reusing it, so humans should have the same capabilities and there is no excuse to ruin the environment for it. I think it was clever to start the book using Ford and then ending it with the same company. The book talks about how Ford has implemented eco-effective ideas into their factories. Ford should be used as a model for companies all over the world as to what needs to take place in order to turn our environmental damage around. This book made me think about the future a lot. I know there are an abundance of concerns already involving the condition of the Earth and how we are treating it. If we do not start making drastic changes to the way we think and live the futures of our children and grandchildren could be troubled. I think this is a great book not only as a member of society but as a possible future designer. Everyone should be aware of what is happening and needs to happen. However, as designers we are the forefront of the future. It is our job to take the information and make the changes necessary so people can still have quality products but products that are environmentally safe as well.