MY PrOJECT

The challenges of climate change stem not only from energy-intensive technologies and excessive carbon emissions, but also from human behavior. Our preference for driving over walking or cycling, and our tendency to overconsume products, contribute to the overuse of energy, exacerbating our reliance on fossil fuels. While technological advancements can mitigate energy consumption and carbon emissions, they may inadvertently trigger the "rebound effect", wherein energy-efficient practices lead to prolonged usage, under-mining their intended benefits. Thus, addressing the root of the issue necessitates not only technical solutions but also a fundamental shift in human behavior.

How? An apparent solution lies in education, but its effectiveness in inducing behavioral change has been limited. Typical environmental education since the 1970s assumes that knowledge alone influences action, disregarding the persistent gap between what people know and what people do. Fortunately, recent insights from behavioral economics and the philosophy of technology demonstrate that human behavior can be subtly influenced or even initiated by the surrounding environment and the technologies at our disposal, irrespective of conscious awareness. This understanding presents engineers and scientists with the opportunity to influence and redirect human behavior towards pro-environmental one through the strategic redesign of technologies and the built environment. To achieve a sustainable future, the responsibility of shaping human behavior should not solely rest on educators but also on technology developers. Technology, therefore, should not solely aim to repair the environment but should also address human behavioral patterns. This project advocates for the design and implementation of "behavior-steering technology."

Yet, the notion of using technology to steer human behavior may raise concerns about encroaching on individual freedom and democratic values. Questions regarding the potential infringement on personal autonomy and the emergence of technocracy are pertinent. Might individuals' freedom be compromised or jeopardized when their behavior is not self-determined? Is there a risk of technocracy if engineers, rather than educators or humanists, are responsible for shaping and altering people's lifestyles? To address these concerns, this proposal introduces the concept of "behavioral-piecemeal engineering", amalgamating the social reform ideas of philosopher Karl Popper with the behavior modification principles of behaviorist B. F. Skinner. This project seeks to provide engineers with compelling justifications and robust arguments to counter such concerns and objections. It reassesses and redefines the notion of freedom by delving into behaviorism, while simultaneously curbing any political leanings towards "eco-authoritarianism" through the implementation of piecemeal engineering. By acknowledging that social reform can commence through small-scale alterations in human behavior initially, with the potential for broader impact later, this approach proves to be more effective than education while being less intrusive than stringent regulations.

Furthermore, this project a practical framework for engineers to design technologies that promote positive behavioral shifts. The seven design recommendations outlined include 1) Design not only nature-friendly products but also behavior-steering artifacts, 2) Be aware of the behavioral influence of non-behavior-steering technology, 3) Material behavior-steering technology first, then informational technology, 4) Think of low-tech rather than high-tech designs, 5) Community as a suitable size, 6) Keep experimenting, and 7) Aiming at anti-environmental behavior but complementing with positive reinforcers. These seven recommendations have demonstrated their utility and viability through their implementation in the design of "Village Homes", a community situated in California, renowned as the greenest community in the US. Despite its construction in the 1980s and extensive design analyses, I am the first to recognize the significance of its narrow-curvy-cul-de-sacs as behavior-steering technology and to assess its design strategy as a behavioral-piecemeal approach.

In essence, this endeavor represents a "double innovation" approach. It seeks technical solutions centered on human behavior, allowing for greater flexibility for engineers. Simultaneously, it embeds these technical advancements within the broader context of social transformation, addressing the ethical and political complexities underpinning the global environmental crisis. Consequently, this proposal embodies an interdisciplinary perspective, transcending conventional disciplinary boundaries and fostering a closer collaboration between the realms of science and the humanities. Moreover, it endeavors to bridge the ideological gap between the Western emphasis on individualism and the Eastern focus on relational interconnectedness. Recognizing the urgency of climate change, it prompts a reevaluation of both Western and Eastern perspectives, advocating for a synthesis that incorporates technological considerations, thereby enriching the discourse on sustainable solutions.

For further elaboration on the aforementioned points, please see the summary of my arguments. For the entire discussion, please check my awarded book and paper.

On the practical front, my project contributes to enhancing individuals' environmental behaviors by providing design recommendations that stem from an interdisciplinary study encompassing philosophy of technology, behavioral economics, and a real-life case exemplified by Village Homes. These design recommendations have served as a source of inspiration for designers and engineers with an interest in green design. They are employed either in their entirety or in part to guide the development of behavior-steering technologies. With the increasing proliferation of such technologies, it is anticipated that people will adopt more sustainable lifestyles, ultimately contributing to the effective mitigation of the environmental crisis.

Moreover, the theoretical innovation within my project promises to have a substantial impact. Our approaches to addressing environmental challenges are inherently influenced and shaped by our fundamental concepts of nature, humanity, and the interplay between them. While existing practices primarily concentrate on tackling environmental issues through technological innovation or revised economic models, the challenge posed by human behavior—an unsustainable lifestyle marked by anti-environmental behavior—remains largely unaddressed and is predominantly relegated to the realm of education. This imbalance is rooted in the assumption that humans exist as independent entities immune to external interventions. My project introduces an avenue for reevaluating this assumption: by gaining insight into the nature of human behavior, it becomes possible to view humans as relational beings, not only in relation to other humans and species but also in relation to technology. As the perception of human beings undergoes transformation, the current practices in green engineering, environmental policy, sustainable economics, and education will be reexamined and restructured to enhance their effectiveness and influence.

Given that the most revolutionary aspect of my project lies in its conceptual framework, it can be readily disseminated and embraced by individuals globally. Moreover, as my project amalgamates ideas from diverse disciplines and incorporates perspectives from both Western and Eastern schools of thought, it stands to be embraced by professionals from various fields and individuals from different cultural backgrounds, regardless of its radical nature. Its "software" nature also ensures easy implementation and replication, with minimal costs compared to hardware-based technological tools and devices. The insights and concepts offered by my project have the potential to reach not only adults but also children, assisting the next generation in reassessing their roles as human beings and formulating design strategies to curtail energy consumption and minimize environmental impact. Undertaking a transformative "paradigm shift" in our contemporary lifestyle undoubtedly presents its challenges, but my project can serve as a pivotal steppingstone in this transformative journey.