New and emerging technology, ethics and environment Flashcards
What does Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) include?
- the source of materials for the product or component
- the energy used and pollution caused when manufacturing
- the energy used and pollution caused during a product’s useful life
- the disposal of the product at the end of its useful life
What are the 6 R’s?
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE, REPAIR, RETHINK, REFUSE
What is planned obsolescence?
Planned obsolescence is producing a product that is intended to last for a specific time span. This allows newer products to be introduced to succeed previous versions.
What is ‘Cradle to cradle’?
‘Cradle to cradle’ is a concept of taking a product from start to finish. ‘Cradle to cradle’ looks at putting a product to good use at the end of its life to create a new product.
What is ecological design?
Ecological design can be defined as solving problems alongside minimising environmental damage. Designers must solve problems without creating other problems. Eco is about nature, living things, cycles and patterns.
What is eco-efficiency?
Eco-efficiency refers to moving towards sustainable development – creating goods, products and services to satisfy user needs and wants while reducing ecological impacts and resource depletion. After all, any natural resources that we use will eventually run out!
What is fair trade?
This is an arrangement to help producers in developing countries to achieve trade relationships with other countries. It promotes sustainable development by improving trading conditions, including the rights for the workers.
What is worker exploitation?
Different countries have different laws about employment for workers. Sometimes workers can be exposed to unfair working conditions including poor or unfair levels of payment. This includes child labour.
What are the social responsibilities of designers?
Social – products must not have an unforeseen side effect on a group of people.
What are the cultural responsibilities of designers?
Cultural – ensuring that a product is acceptable and not offensive for a specific group.
What are the economic responsibilities of designers?
Economic – ensuring that financial decision making is good for the product. This could relate to material selection, profit margins, running costs or energy efficiency.
What are the environmental responsibilities of designers?
Environmental – recently, a lot of legislation and laws have been passed to enforce certain conditions. Many manufacturers now have to comply with targets on lowering CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions.
