The current power crisis in South Africa set the context for the annual Design Indaba this year, in that the usual 'change the world' and 'save our planet's resources', from the very socially responsible and aware mainly European delegations, were even more meaningful for those of us present last week in Cape Town. Bottom line - it is up to all of us to make a difference and maybe it will start to sink in here as we face our own resources issue, because no matter who is at fault, we cannot take our planet for granted any longer. We all have to do our bit, as media in reportage, designers in what they design, what they design on (materials), and marketers in what packaging they chose and the focus of their brand campaigns. A mantra that came through strongly and something we all need to keep in mind to create a sustainable future for all, is: "What did you do to change the world today?" With load shedding due to resume this week, it is poignant. Have a look at the amazing Professor Shinichi Takemura, a renowned media producer from Japan with his Tangible Earth project, www.tangible-earth.com. He's created the first 10 million to one digital scale model of the earth where any man-created or environmental event can be plotted in. His philosophy is that if we were properly connected to global events, hearing the screams of victims real-time for example or watching forests being denuded in front of our eyes, we would react differently and be more sensitised.
Go make a difference! Louise Marsland, editor: editor@bizcommunity.com. All marketing news to: marketingnews@bizcommunity.com. Responses to this column welcome on our blog: http://blog.bizcommunity.com.