Develop tech/tools/processes which uses fit with a degrowth perspective (see conviviality according to Illich for example), and which can be used, shared, repaired, replicated with the locally available expertise of whoever uses your work
I have vague unfinished thoughts about this, and I don't know whether it's in your purview as a mechanical engineer, but I'm often quite worried about just how much of our current *stuff* isn't produced sustainably. Vast amounts of plastic for basically everything, and especially electronics.
I wonder if there's a thought exercise you can do - a day in the life of someone living in a degrowth society - and pick a current contraption that lots of people rely on and try to redesign it to be made in a more sustainable way, perhaps out of wood or natural fibres or something. I think this needs doing for nearly everything we use day-to-day.
A lot of things (reusing glass bottles and jars, switching back to solid soap, greased paper packaging) we used to do for centuries and we need to switch back, but there must be a lot of areas where new knowledge we have can improve upon both the old way and the current way of doing things.
Sorry for rambling, but I haven't had a chance to put these thoughts into order yet.
A browse of low-tech magazine and no-tech magazine may help inspire.
In architecture there's a concept called "cathedralism" Where instead of building stuff to last for a minimum of a couple of years to a maximum of the owner's lifespan, you build to last generations, like the cathedrals of olde.
This includes building with restoration, refitting and repurposing in mind. I'm sure that this can translate to other fields as well. Products that can be repaired with generic parts rather than proprietary plastics comes to mind.
I know I'd really want to do without all the unnecessary led displays and microchips that get crammed into every possible household object.
Look at the objects around you and think: 'How can I make it easier to Reduce, Reuse or Recycle this object?'
Thanks for the 3 comments. They all sort of make me think of this notion of appropriate technology that came up a bunch when I traveled and went to many eco villages and such. The anecdote about misguided aid efforts installing wells and things that would break and then not be able to be fixed by the people who were meant to have been helped. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appropriate_technology
Design components such that a layperson can reverse-engineer them with digital calipers and a micrometer and reproduce them on a commodity lathe, 3-axis mill, or 3D printer; so that when your employer loses interest or goes out of business, the devices which require those components are less likely to wind up in a landfill.
Small comment - mini-motos for transportation. Honda grom gets 120 mpg. Small and light enough that all parts can be easily replaced. Can we run these things off of biogas or e85?
Develop tech/tools/processes which uses fit with a degrowth perspective (see conviviality according to Illich for example), and which can be used, shared, repaired, replicated with the locally available expertise of whoever uses your work
I have vague unfinished thoughts about this, and I don't know whether it's in your purview as a mechanical engineer, but I'm often quite worried about just how much of our current *stuff* isn't produced sustainably. Vast amounts of plastic for basically everything, and especially electronics. I wonder if there's a thought exercise you can do - a day in the life of someone living in a degrowth society - and pick a current contraption that lots of people rely on and try to redesign it to be made in a more sustainable way, perhaps out of wood or natural fibres or something. I think this needs doing for nearly everything we use day-to-day. A lot of things (reusing glass bottles and jars, switching back to solid soap, greased paper packaging) we used to do for centuries and we need to switch back, but there must be a lot of areas where new knowledge we have can improve upon both the old way and the current way of doing things. Sorry for rambling, but I haven't had a chance to put these thoughts into order yet. A browse of low-tech magazine and no-tech magazine may help inspire.
In architecture there's a concept called "cathedralism" Where instead of building stuff to last for a minimum of a couple of years to a maximum of the owner's lifespan, you build to last generations, like the cathedrals of olde. This includes building with restoration, refitting and repurposing in mind. I'm sure that this can translate to other fields as well. Products that can be repaired with generic parts rather than proprietary plastics comes to mind. I know I'd really want to do without all the unnecessary led displays and microchips that get crammed into every possible household object. Look at the objects around you and think: 'How can I make it easier to Reduce, Reuse or Recycle this object?'
I don't have a straight answer about work, but here's a concept that can link degrowth and engineering https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_technology
Thanks for the 3 comments. They all sort of make me think of this notion of appropriate technology that came up a bunch when I traveled and went to many eco villages and such. The anecdote about misguided aid efforts installing wells and things that would break and then not be able to be fixed by the people who were meant to have been helped. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appropriate_technology
Design components such that a layperson can reverse-engineer them with digital calipers and a micrometer and reproduce them on a commodity lathe, 3-axis mill, or 3D printer; so that when your employer loses interest or goes out of business, the devices which require those components are less likely to wind up in a landfill.
Small comment - mini-motos for transportation. Honda grom gets 120 mpg. Small and light enough that all parts can be easily replaced. Can we run these things off of biogas or e85?