What if we rationed our fossil fuel consumption?

What would happen if we took climate change as seriously as the crisis of World War II? This MA degree project explores a radical political idea and its consequences through design. 

MA degree Project, Konstfack University of Arts Craft and Design, 3 months 2014.

5 years from now, Sweden has instated a rationing program with personal allowances on environmental impact, “Earth Shares“.  In the first stage, only food is affected.

Earth Shares is explored through telling stories with design. The stories discuss the way the system works, the causes behind it and some of its consequences. Together they explore a fictional “history” of a future political change.

Story: Explain

After the Earth Shares system is voted through, the government begins an informational campaign. The purpose is to communicate how the system would work for citizens, and to promote its benefits.

Story: Proclaim
A political movement is campaigning for a “yes“ in the upcoming referendum about Earth Shares. They call themselves the Resource Shift, and to them Earth Shares is just the beginning of much greater change. The Resource shift are fighting for a more fair and sustainable distribution of all the Earth’s resources.

The graphic design was created in collaboration with art director Andrejs Ljunggren. 

Story: Flourish
A group of activists have created a community algae garden. They are also part of the “Resource Shift“ movement who support Earth Shares. Their goal is to experiment with making food production labourless and free for all people through technology. Algae is a low environmental impact food that is very nutritious and rich in protein.

Story: Resist
Like many rationing systems before it, Earth Shares has led to an increase in corruption and black market activities. In defiance of the imposed restrictions on personal freedom, citizens create and share ways to subvert the Earth Shares system. 

Collaborative research process

The Earth Shares system and it's possible consequences was explored through discussions with a wide range of experts (examples below) in many disciplines e.g. political economy, sustainability and politics. This collaborative process also included workshops and discussions.