apidays Singapore 2025 - Designing for Change, Julie Schiller (Google)

Designing for Change : How UX Can Help Solve the Climate Crisis
Julie Schiller, UX Designer at Google

apidays Singapore 2025
Where APIs Meet AI: Building Tomorrow's Intelligent Ecosystems
April 15 & 16, 2025

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Transcript

1. Designing for Change: How UX Can Help Solve the Climate Crisis by Julie Schiller
2. Why UX Matters for Climate Digital interactions have physical costs Every click consumes energy Bloated designs increase energy use Multiplied across millions of users UX shapes behaviors Design with climate intention
3. What Is Sustainable UX? Design for behavior change Nudge climate-positive actions Optimize energy usage Efficient interfaces and processes Minimize data transfer Reduce unnecessary digital weight Prioritize durability Create lasting digital products
4. The Hidden Cost of the W eb 90% Unused Data Digital content never accessed again 50g CO₂ Per Email Single email with large attachment 2-4% Global emissions Annual digital waste globally
5. Digital Diets: Start Here Audit Content Identify unused digital assets Optimize Assets Reduce image sizes, clean code Set Carbon Budgets Track metrics for digital footprint
6. Tools for Sustainable UXCalculate carbon footprints Estimate CO₂ per pageview or compute W 3C Susty W eb Efficient hosting guidelines W orld W ide W aste Digital downsizing strategy
8. Sustainability by Design Design for Reuse Build circular systems Enable Repair Updates over replacements Support De-Growth Avoid overconsumption incentives Systems Thinking Beyond individual features
9. Nudges & Tech: UX for Behavior Change Smart Defaults Eco-mode presets on apps and devices Reduce Friction Make green choices the easy path Gamification Recycling challenges in housing apps Social Reinforcement Community dashboards for shared goals
10. Communal vs Individual Action Individual Impact Personal responsibility through daily choices • Sustainable transport options • Reducing food waste • Mindful consumption Systemic Change Collective action for broader impact • Business-level commitments • Community infrastructure • Policy advocacy features
11. What Can You Do Next? Run a carbon audit Use W ebsiteCarbon.com on your digital products Implement one principle Start with image optimization or user nudges Engage expertise Get support building a usable future
12. What Inspires You? W hat app or product have you seen that truly supports sustainable behavior? Share your examples in chat or with me after the session. W e need more real-world inspiration to learn from and build upon.
13. Sustainable UX Principles Efficiency First Streamline flows to reduce digital waste Conscious Defaults Pre-select eco-friendly options Circular Design Create systems that reuse resources Behavior Change Enable sustainable habits through design
14. Let's Design for the World W e W ant Connect W ith Me Let's collaborate on sustainable UX initiatives Something Exciting Coming Join our community of planet-conscious designers Build Better Tools Digital experiences that respect people and planet julie@ climateux.net