As the world undergoes an unprecedented ecological and social transformation, much of today’s youth is expressing a strong desire for change, as evidenced by a recent statistic: “Two out of three young people between 18 and 30 say they are now willing to refrain from applying to a company that does not take environmental issues seriously” (TV5Monde). This awareness goes beyond mere rejection of the status quo; it highlights the urgent need to rethink practices and mindsets in the business world. It is crucial for young people, not just designers, to understand their power as well as their responsibilities and adopt a systemic and cross-disciplinary approach to positively influence the future. This article is centered around three main themes: questioning growth as a societal goal, transitioning from performance to robustness, and accepting the inevitability of globalization, even for young idealists.

Questioning Growth as a Societal Goal

Jean-Marc Jancovici, a recognized expert in energy and climate issues, regularly emphasizes that growth and GDP can no longer be the ultimate objectives of our societies. He calls for a profound reexamination of priorities, a necessity that has become even more pressing in the current ecological crisis. For a young designer entering the corporate world, this idea is crucial: it's not just about contributing to the production of goods or services but about reflecting on the societal and environmental impact of your work.

Economic growth, often measured by rising GDP, pushes companies to constantly seek productivity gains and maximize profits, without considering the consequences such as environmental degradation or social injustice. As a result, this “fixation” on growth leads to misguided decisions, depriving companies of a long-term vision. Young designers, eager to change the world, must first arm themselves with knowledge to understand how these businesses operate.

I believe that small structures, like SMEs, offer more direct and immediate opportunities for impact than large corporations, as decision-makers are more accessible. In these settings, one can experiment with new practices, rethink production processes, or introduce circular economic models. The goal is to design organizations capable of resilience, which do not depend solely on growth for survival. This shift in perspective involves redefining success not in terms of financial performance but in terms of sustainability, well-being, and equity.

Robustness Rather than Performance

The 21st century is marked by significant environmental fluctuations that require a new approach. The relentless pursuit of performance, whether in construction, technology, or agriculture, has often led to the creation of fragile systems, highly dependent on fossil fuels and global supply chains. Long-term viability lies in robustness, a quality that prioritizes adaptability and sustainability over excessive optimization. In today’s context, companies must integrate this step into their development processes.

In construction, for example, using low-energy, more robust materials such as raw earth offers an interesting alternative. These materials, although less "high-performing" in the traditional sense, require less advanced technical knowledge and allow citizens to participate in building and repairing infrastructure. This not only strengthens local autonomy but also social bonds, by recreating a community fabric based on cooperation and shared expertise.

Technology is not exempt from this reevaluation. Communication protocols like TCP/IP, which enable the sending of emails, perfectly illustrate the importance of redundancy and robustness. These systems, while not the most performant in terms of speed or complexity, are resilient and function in a wide range of conditions. The engineers of tomorrow, and especially young designers, should draw inspiration from this approach by promoting simple, autonomous, and accessible technological solutions that can be repaired locally and work reliably even in difficult or altered environments.

The goal is not only to design for today but to anticipate a future marked by ecological and economic uncertainties. This transition to robustness embodies a sustainable vision, where system resilience takes precedence over their performance.

The Inescapable Globalization: Acting Within the System

Lastly, a key point that young people must accept when entering the workforce is that it is impossible to escape globalization. Whether we like it or not, global interdependencies are an inescapable reality. As Jancovici explains, the idea of "deserting" the system in the face of environmental challenges is a mirage. The real solution lies in transforming the system from within, using available tools to influence future trajectories.

This doesn’t mean accepting globalization as it is. On the contrary, current dynamics must be redirected to become more inclusive, sustainable, and just. Young people who benefit from a quality education have a crucial role to play. They possess privileges (educational, economic, social) that they must use for the collective good. This imposes an ethical responsibility to contribute to the evolution of the global system rather than rejecting it entirely.

Furthermore, globalization is often criticized for concentrating power in the hands of a few elites at the expense of the masses. Young people, by becoming aware of these dynamics, must propose fairer and more democratic models, where wealth and resources are distributed more equitably. The solutions will not come from isolating ourselves from the globalized world but from transforming existing structures.

To Keep in Mind

For young designers entering the corporate world, the vision of the future rests on three pillars: questioning growth as a central goal, transitioning to robust and sustainable systems, and engaging in a globalized world. These themes, far from being theoretical, are concrete levers for shaping a more agile and resilient future. Acting locally while thinking globally will become an essential key in this quest for transformation. Young people cannot escape the realities of the modern world, but they can certainly redirect them toward a more just and sustainable future.

My inspirations for this brief subjective thought:

• Jean-Marc Jancovici, Telecom Paris - 04/2024

• Olivier Hamant, Campus Saint Marc - 03/2023

• Jean-Marc Jancovici, EM Lyon Buisness School “Défis climatiques et villes durables : Écologie, Économie, Technologie” - 03/2024