Sustaining Scalable Sustainability

Workshop Overview

Global CO₂ emissions are on the rise, driven by transportation, agriculture, and energy production activities. While corporations and policymakers play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, our workshop pivots the focus towards individuals and communities as essential agents of change. Individual consumers and private households, responsible for a significant portion of global emissions, often underestimate their impact on climate change and potential for mitigation. This workshop aims to address these gaps by encouraging carbon reduction, promoting carbon literacy and empowering local communities to take meaningful action. Our approach recognizes the critical role of individuals in driving sustainable change, moving beyond the limited impact of one-size-fits-all solutions.

Human-centered design, incorporating ideas from Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Cognitive Science, stands out as a vital approach to effectively address the diverse needs of individuals and communities. This field is teeming with possibilities: from real-time eco-feedback systems, advanced ecological data analysis using AI, to the psychological insights provided by behavioral science that enhance our understanding of human behavior and decision-making. These are just a few examples among many innovative avenues available. As we explore these diverse strategies, this workshop aims to kick-start the creation of technologies that resonate with various community contexts, fostering actionable and sustainable solutions for a greener future.

This one-day, hybrid workshop emphasizes the urgency of implementing tangible and, immediate solutions—such as insights, systems, and tools, including generative AI and social computing— for carbon reduction and literacy. It focuses on actionable sustainability initiatives that are ready for adoption today. We invite researchers to join us in exploring and harnessing the potential of human-centered green technologies. This collaborative, hands-on effort aims to catalyze grassroots, bottom-up solutions, acknowledging the essential role of individuals and communities in fostering a sustainable future.