Language

Designing for planet requires a shift in the way we think about, communicate and act. The language we use is critical to this change.

This page sets out some of the key language that we use in this toolkit, alongside definitions. Some of this might be familiar and some might be new. It is important that we embrace this new language as it embodies the shift that we need to make, and transitions us away from current language that is holding us back.

One of the terms on this page is ‘non-humans’, which implies a separation between human-beings and all other living beings. We fully recognise that we are a part of nature, but we also find it helpful to distinguish between us and other living beings so that we are actively encouraged to design with a more than human perspective.

Glossary

Regenerative – designing processes and activities that utilise physical and social assets so that they can restore, renew or revitalize their own sources of energy and materials

Circular – a resilient system that eliminates waste by bringing resources back for re-use

Biodiversity – the number and variety of species found within a specified geographic region

Vision – an overall picture describing how the world might be in the future

Mission – a specific goal or opportunity that requires different sectors working together

Issue – an area or topic of concern

Challenge – a large, complex societal problem that needs collective effort

Impact – what has, or will change for the positive following an idea or intervention

Value – the measurable positive impact created by an idea or intervention

Idea – creative concepts for how to overcome challenges or realise a future vision

Intervention – actions that intervene in human behaviour

Non-humans – all living beings that are not human