In User Experience Design and Sustainability, Katharina Clasen and Olga Lange challenge the default: that design is just about user satisfaction and business KPIs. What if, instead, UX became a tool for ecological and social transformation?
They argue that UX has power. Real power. To shape behaviors. Influence habits. Nudge people—ethically or manipulatively. But with that power comes responsibility. And in its current form, UX often fails that responsibility.
UX isn’t neutral, they remind us. It shapes systems. Encourages consumption. Think autoplay on Netflix. Same-day shipping. Infinite scroll. These aren’t “features”—they’re design decisions with systemic consequences. And in a world where digital technologies account for nearly 4% of global CO₂ emissions, that matters.
Victor Papanek said it best: “There are few professions more harmful than industrial design.” UX might be catching up.
So what’s the alternative?
Enter life-centered design. Not user-centered. Not even human-centered. Life-centered. Design that accounts for planetary limits, non-human stakeholders, and long-term impact. The idea: the user isn’t alone—they’re part of an ecosystem.
The book introduces new tools—not just ideas:
They also point out that many UX professionals want to design sustainably—but feel undertrained and powerless. That’s where standards (like ISO 9241-210), networks (like SUX and German UPA), and the UN’s SDGs come in. These frameworks aren’t silver bullets, but they’re starting points.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s awareness. It's asking better questions:
It isn’t about “greenwashing” your UX process. It’s about facing reality: UX shapes behavior, and behavior shapes the world. That’s a lot of leverage. Use it wisely.