Short answer
Designers must shift from a linear 'take-make-dispose' model to a circular, regenerative approach that actively contributes to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- Population and Development Review (2019)
- Method
- Systematic review and synthesis of scientific literature, indigenous and local knowledge, and government reports.
- Evidence
- Strong effect
The IPBES Global Assessment Report highlights an unprecedented rate of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, directly impacting human well-being and requiring systemic changes in design and production. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in Population and Development Review. Using Systematic review and synthesis of scientific literature, indigenous and local knowledge, and government reports., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers must shift from a linear 'take-make-dispose' model to a circular, regenerative approach that actively contributes to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health.
Global biodiversity assessment reveals accelerating decline, necessitating urgent design interventions
The IPBES Global Assessment Report highlights an unprecedented rate of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, directly impacting human well-being and requiring systemic changes in design and production.
Population and Development Review · 2019
Key Findings
- 01Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history, with around 1 million animal and plant species threatened with extinction.
- 02The average abundance of native species in most major land-based habitats has fallen by at least 20% since 1900.
- 03Three-quarters of the land-based environment and about 66% of the marine environment have been significantly altered by human actions.
- 04Five direct drivers of change are identified: changes in land and sea use; direct exploitation of organisms; climate change; pollution; and invasive alien species.
- 05Goals for conserving and sustainably using nature and achieving sustainability cannot be met under current trajectories.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers must shift from a linear 'take-make-dispose' model to a circular, regenerative approach that actively contributes to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health.
How to apply
When designing a new product or system, conduct a comprehensive lifecycle assessment that includes biodiversity impacts, not just carbon footprint. Prioritize bio-based, non-toxic, and locally sourced materials, and design for disassembly and material recovery.
Project actions
- 01Research the biodiversity impact of materials you plan to use.
- 02Design products that can be easily repaired, reused, or recycled to reduce waste.
- 03Consider how your design might support local ecosystems or reduce pressure on natural resources.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive global scope, synthesizing vast amounts of data.
- +Intergovernmental consensus, lending significant authority to its findings.
- +Identifies clear drivers of change and policy options.
Limitations
The report is very broad; applying its general findings to a very specific design project might require further focused research.
Reliability & validity
The report's reliability is high due to its extensive peer-review process and synthesis of a vast body of scientific literature. Its validity is strong as it directly addresses the state of biodiversity and its drivers, aligning with established ecological principles.
Think critically
How might the 'five direct drivers of change' identified by IPBES influence your choice of manufacturing process for a product?
Design Principles
"Integrate ecological regeneration and biodiversity protection as core design criteria."
This report provides critical data for understanding the environmental context of design. It underscores the urgent need for designers to consider the ecological footprint of their products and systems, moving towards regenerative and circular design principles.
What This Means for Your Design
The planet's plants and animals are disappearing really fast because of human actions, and this is bad for everyone. Designers need to make things differently to help nature instead of harming it.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference the IPBES report when discussing the environmental context of your design problem.
- 2.Use its findings to justify the need for sustainable material choices or production methods in your solution.
- 3.Cite the report when explaining the 'drivers of change' that your design aims to mitigate (e.g., pollution, resource depletion).
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (2019) highlights an unprecedented decline in nature globally, with approximately one million species threatened with extinction. This crisis is primarily driven by human activities such as changes in land use, direct exploitation of organisms, and pollution. As a designer, this necessitates a fundamental shift towards sustainable practices, prioritizing materials with low ecological impact, designing for extended product lifecycles, and actively contributing to regenerative systems to mitigate these critical environmental challenges.
Source
Population and Development Review
IPBES, 2019. Summary for policymakers of the global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Intergovernmental Science‐Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
journal · 2019
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about global biodiversity assessment reveals accelerating decline, necessitating urgent design interventions?
- Designers must shift from a linear 'take-make-dispose' model to a circular, regenerative approach that actively contributes to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health. Evidence: Population and Development Review (2019).
- Why does "Global biodiversity assessment reveals accelerating decline, necessitating urgent design interventions" matter for design?
- This report provides critical data for understanding the environmental context of design. It underscores the urgent need for designers to consider the ecological footprint of their products and systems, moving towards regenerative and circular design principles.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers must shift from a linear 'take-make-dispose' model to a circular, regenerative approach that actively contributes to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health.
- What were the main findings?
- Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history, with around 1 million animal and plant species threatened with extinction.. The average abundance of native species in most major land-based habitats has fallen by at least 20% since 1900.. Three-quarters of the land-based environment and about 66% of the marine environment have been significantly altered by human actions.. Five direct drivers of change are identified: changes in land and sea use; direct exploitation of organisms; climate change; pollution; and invasive alien species.
- What research method was used?
- Systematic review and synthesis of scientific literature, indigenous and local knowledge, and government reports..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2019 journal from Population and Development Review.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing a new product or system, conduct a comprehensive lifecycle assessment that includes biodiversity impacts, not just carbon footprint. Prioritize bio-based, non-toxic, and locally sourced materials, and design for disassembly and material recovery.
- What are the limitations?
- The report is a synthesis of existing knowledge and may have gaps in specific regional data or emerging threats not yet fully studied.