Can we quit our air-con addiction?
As the world gets hotter demand for cooling systems is increasing, but energy-hungry air conditioning risks making the situation worse. Starr Charles explores whether more efficient solutions are possible. More
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"We must confront design's colonial inheritance"
For design to become truly sustainable in the face of rapid climate change we must first acknowledge its ties to colonialism, writes Céline Semaan. More
Gaza rubble clearance could result in 90,000 tonnes of carbon emissions
A study has calculated that it could take four decades to clear the rubble from destroyed and damaged buildings caused by Israel's bombardment of Gaza and the process would yield over 90,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. More
UK Green Building Council warns British buildings "not ready for extreme weather"
The UK Green Building Council has warned that many homes, schools, offices and care homes in the UK are not prepared for the effects of global warming, calling for millions of buildings to be adapted to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures. More
"We are collectively suffering through a crisis of imagination"
An inability to imagine the world differently is preventing us from understanding what a terrible situation humanity is in, writes Rachel Donald. More
AI-fuelled data centre demand will set back energy transition
The data centre expansion required to support artificial intelligence is expected to keep fossil fuels in use for longer, a new report by think tank BloombergNEF has found. More
"There has never been a true 'transition' away from coal, oil – or even wood"
Earth Day this year is focused on shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy but the concept of the energy transition is deeply flawed, writes Jean-Baptiste Fressoz. More
Layer anniversary exhibition uses traditional craft to present "provocative vision for the future"
A rainwater collecting tower and a garment that adapts to climate extremes are among the futuristic prototypes developed by Benjamin Hubert's studio Layer for a Milan design week exhibition marking the firm's 10th birthday. More
Joe Doucet develops colour-changing paint to help heat and cool the home
After getting stuck on what colour to paint his house for maximum energy efficiency, designer Joe Doucet has developed a climate-responsive paint that changes from white in summer to black in winter. More
Damage to Houston skyscrapers from derecho winds "more severe" than hurricane
A Florida International University study in Houston has concluded that damage from "non-hurricane" events, such as a derecho wind storm, can cause more damage to tall buildings than hurricanes More
Marshall Islands football jersey "disappears" to visualise threat of rising seas
The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation has unveiled its national football jersey, designed in collaboration with sports brand PlayerLayer. More
Architecture competition calls for designs for "a new world wonder"
Dutch social venture Shift has launched a €250,000 competition calling for designs for "a new wonder of the world" to promote action against climate change. More
Inxects vest lets architects "feel" the health of a site like a sixth sense
Design studio Inxects has developed a wearable that translates environmental stress signals into physical sensations to let users feel humanity's impact on nature. More
"We have only two options before us: reimagine, or perish"
A perfect storm is upon us, and to confront it designers must this year help to lead a fundamental shift in the way we see the world, writes Pooran Desai. More
Technology designed to capture waste heat wins 2024 Earthshot Prize
Prince William has announced the five winning projects of this year's Earthshot Prize, including technology designed to capture waste heat and convert it into usable and clean electricity. More
Dezeen Debate features yoghurt window coating "crazy enough to work"
The latest edition of our Dezeen Debate newsletter features British engineer Tom Greenhill's proposal to use yoghurt as a solution for combating heat waves. Subscribe to Dezeen Debate now. More
Yoghurt window coating proposed as emergency heatwave measure
British engineer Tom Greenhill is proposing painting the outside of windows with yoghurt as a low-cost, low-energy solution to keep UK homes cool during heatwaves. More
"We don't want to develop like Europe" says Suriname's architect minister
Suriname's Marciano Dasai is possibly the only government minister in the world who's also an architect. In this exclusive interview, he discusses the challenges facing the tiny rainforest nation. More
"Design as we know it is doomed, but that's a good thing for designers"
The inevitable transition from a take-make-waste society to a circular economy presents exciting and rewarding challenges for designers, writes Sarah Housley. More
"The Paris Olympic Village air-conditioning debacle is a perfect illustration of the barriers to climate action"
The row over air conditioning in the athletes' village at the Paris 2024 Olympics demonstrates the scale of the challenge we face in gaining acceptance for sustainable building technologies, writes Smith Mordak as part of our Olympic Impact series. More