It’s too late for pessimism. To keep the planet habitable, we must radically change our way of life. What we eat, what we wear, how we build and furnish our homes, how we move from A to B. In short: how we produce and consume. This requires courage and imagination. Courage to take bold measures to protect all life on earth, imagination to envision a better future. What do we really need? What can we say goodbye to? And what do we need to redesign completely?
The Primary task of governments
Governments are entrusted with safeguarding the well-being and rights of their citizens. So, driving the major transitions of our time, from fossil to sustainable energy, from a linear to a circular economy, and from individual gain to collective well-being, is primarily the task of governments. Through laws and legislation, they can counter exploitation, put a brake on polluting practices, and promote clean alternatives. There is no lack of financial resources or innovation power. What’s missing is political courage and an inspiring story about a better future for everyone. A story that unites and sets things in motion.
What about large companies?
Large companies, too, must take significant steps to ensure the well-being of people and the planet by making their products, services, production methods and supply chains more sustainable and socially responsible. The question is, can large corporations lead by example, able to change their business models – on time, without government regulation or changing demand from consumers? Some companies feel the urgency to do that, others still have a long way to go.
And the people?
Citizens can make double the difference: on an individual level by consuming more consciously and thereby influencing the market; on a collective level by joining social movements, trade unions or cooperatives, such as a local energy, housing, or agricultural cooperative. They can also turn to the judiciary to hold governments and companies accountable, as seen in recent climate lawsuits. In doing so, they help set a larger movement in motion, politically, economically, and culturally.
The power of art and design
Transitions require imagination and the ability to navigate uncertainty. And that is precisely what is often lacking: imagination. Imagination of what is needed now, of what is possible, and how that could look like in practice. Therefore, now more than ever, the world needs artists and designers. They dare to ask difficult questions and to challenge the establishment. They know how to embrace chaos and uncertainty, for it’s the essence of creativity. They come up with new ideas and can make a better future conceivable and tangible. In short, they can help governments, social movements and companies to make change understandable and desirable for all.
The future as a joint venture
While governments and large corporations have the power and resources to bring about an economic, green, and social transformation, the power of citizens, especially when they unite en masse, should not be underestimated. Artists, designers, and creative entrepreneurs can point the way to a better future but are not magicians. One thing is certain: it’s useless to point fingers or await action from one another. The title of the big Oscar winner of 2022 is: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. And so it is with the major challenges of our time. Only when we see the future as a collective endeavor can we ensure products, services, villages, cities, and natural areas that are safe and bring us joy.
Our mission
Changency aims to integrate art and design into policy and governance. We work closely with governments, social organizations and businesses that are willing and able to hasten the transition to a sustainable and fair society. And who are not afraid of radical imagination and close collaboration with headstrong creatives. Because only with an open mind and brave heart can we create the stories, the participation processes and the products that the future so desperately needs.
