The Climate Tile

As well as looking at the way that graphic design influences change in society (specifically towards the environment), it is also key to research this topic in reverse. One article that demonstrates how the environment is changing design is The Climate Change Tile by Tredje Natur aims to stop cities flooding, Rima Sabina Aouf, 29 December 2016, deezen.com. 

Due to the increased amount of railfall caused by climate change, creatives are having to change the way that they design our cities through structure and layout. Tredje Natur has designed a 'new type of modular type' which has been proposed to 'help reduce flooding in cities'. The title will be firstly tested in the streets of Copenhagen. The tiles are designed to be used alongside or instead of the existing paving in the city. The article goes on to explain that 'the tiles are peppered with a system of holes, tunnels and ridges. These collect and manage rainwater, funneling it away from sidewalks - where it can cause damage - to be preferred use like irrigating nearby plantings'. So not only is the design protecting the streets of Copenhagen, but it is also a renewable energy source as the collected water will be reused. Although this is not a design solution that will overcome climate change, it is a way to "ease the problems with rainwater that cannot get away, whilst creating more urban nature in our grey streets".

This is an exact example of how climate change is changing the way that we design. This is an important direction to consider as it then goes on to how we are affecting climate change through the way that we design and through the way that we as a population of living.