För en vecka sedan var John Thackara i Göteborg. Han höll en uppskattad föreläsning i anslutning till ceremonin för Söderbergsstiftelsens donation till Göteborgs Universitet. Thackara är en av världens stora designexperter. Han arbetar med "collaborative innovation" dvs innovationer i  samspel med befolkningen - ofta i gräsrotsprojekt i bostadsområden med problem. Han arbetar också med hållbarhetsfrågor och design i Holland, Indien och flera andra länder. Läs mer om hans projekt Dott 07 här.

Vi tog tillfället i akt att fråga Thackara ett par frågor.

How are you Mr. Thackara?

I am very well thank you!

Who are you?

I am an Englishman, living in France, but working internationally, who produces projects and festivals to do with sustainability, restoration, and design.

How do think a grant like this is best used?

I have the impression that Goteborg is ready to to shake up its thinking and practice and to start re-thinking it's sustainability strategy. I met some really excellent individuals and groups duyring my visit: what's needed are projets (maybe small ones, at the beginning) that enable them to work together on the practical development of such a new agenda. 
There's a specific opportunity for the new Lab to  enable environmental reporting. A  lot of important data are being unearthed, measured, and published - but in such quantities, that it's hard for companies and policymakers to deal with them. The opportunity is to use design capabilities to increase the impact and usability of this information. 

What do you think will be the most important questions in the future?

How do we reduce the flow of matter and energy through our daily lives by 90%?

 Who are the best partners around here to tackle this challenge with?

 What small project shall we start with, right now?

What kind of strategies would you advise Scandinavian decision makers to take in order to stand strong in the global competition?

Take a global lead on transparent and realistic reporting of your enviromental performance. The Scandinavian countries could set the agenda for the world - and come out in front - if they were to conduct, monitor and publish nation-level and region-level Ecosystem Services Review.

Thank you Mr Thackara and welcome back!

 

Läs mer om ESR här.