Suchergebnisse

Ecological design is an emerging field that aims to recalibrate what humans do in the world according to how the world works as a biophysical system. Design in this sense is a large concept having to do as much with politics and ethics as with buildings and technology. The book begins by describing the scope of design, comparing it to the Enlightenment of the 18th century. Subsequent chapters describe barriers to a design revolution inherent in our misuse of language, the clockspeed of technological society, and shortsighted politics. Orr goes on to describe the critical role educational institutions might play in fostering design intelligence and what he calls "a higher order of heroism." Appropriately, the book ends on themes of charity, wilderness, and the rights of children. Astute yet broadly appealing, The Nature of Design combines theory, practicality, and a call to action.

David W. Orr looks at the causes and consequences of the coming climate destabilization, which he argues is the result of the largest political failure in history. While better technology and smarter economics are important to limit the eventual scope and scale of the problem, climate change will require basic changes in governance.

Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Prologue: The Road to Montana -- one: A Perfect Storm -- two: The Challenges of Sustainability -- three: Resilience -- four: The Problem of Denial -- five: Economy -- six: Governance -- seven: Mind -- eight: Heart -- nine: The Long Revolution -- ten: Sustainable Democracy? -- eleven: Cities in a Hotter Time -- twelve: The Oberlin Project -- Afterword -- Notes -- Index