Page 39 - Design for Environment A Guide to Sustainable Product Development

18 Chapter Two

Over the past 50 years, humans have changed ecosystems
more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period
of time in human history, largely to meet rapidly growing
demands for food, fresh water, timber, fiber, and fuel ….
Gains in human well-being and economic development …
have been achieved at growing costs in the form of the
de gradation of many ecosystem services, increased risks of
nonlinear changes, and the exacerbation of pov erty for some
groups of people. These problems, unless ad dressed, will
sub stantially diminish the benefits that future generations

obtain from ecosystems.
The many important ecosystem services that humans take for
granted include
• Provisioning services that provide food, energy, water, and
raw materials for industry
• Regulating services including climate regulation, waste
de com position, and nutrient cycling
• Supporting services including water purification, crop
pollination, and pest control
• Cultural services including aesthetic inspiration, recreation,
and learning
• Preserving services including genetic biodiversity and
pro tection of future options

Today, the tide of opinion seems to have turned, and the global
response to environmental concerns has begun in earnest. A remark-
able part of this story is the increasing rate of voluntary participation
on the part of the industrial community. Part 3 of this book demon-
strates that environmental responsibility has been wholeheartedly
embraced by companies that are recognized as leaders in their respec-
tive industries.
Contrary to the popular image of companies being hostile to
environmental pressures, the logic of environmental innovation has
been readily accepted in the United States with virtually no regulatory
co ercion. DFE exemplifies the willingness of companies to move
“b eyond compliance” in their environmental initiatives, provided that

there are valid business drivers. Granted, pockets of resistance re -
main in the business world, and there are still advocacy groups intent
on exposing laggard corporations. But generally speaking, the tradi-
tional hostility between environmentalists and the private sector
has evolved into a collaborative engagement between industry, non-
profits, and other stakeholders to pursue their common interest in
sustainable development. Examples of this growing collaboration are
described in Chapter 3.