As a designer and environmentalist, at the heart of the challenges of a time in crisis, I felt the need to better understand. My work consists of improving the user experience on my clients' tools. The scope of my mission is quite varied and includes: project scoping, the research phase (user and business needs), interface design, writing technical specifications, in-depth analysis of implemented prototypes (during user testing, for example), and other areas that are still uncharted territory that I hope to explore one day.

As a member of Generation Y, I grew up in a paradox. My parents were journalists overseas, which required them to travel frequently. As a child, I grew up among the buildings at Porte d'Asnières. My contact with nature developed later. When I was old enough to travel long distances (with enough autonomy not to disrupt their schedules), my parents introduced me to the richness of the natural environments that surround us by embarking on their adventures. . This parallel created in me a horizon that was both vast and contradictory: I feared nature as much as it fascinated me. I loved the comfort of my city habits, but I couldn't help but be amazed by the poetry of nature.

This paradox is something I've carried with me into adulthood and my career as a designer. My ambition is to create enjoyable experiences for users, efficient ones for my clients, while minimizing the environmental impact of my work. Above all, I want my work to be meaningful.

My job as a UX Designer requires me to stay informed about new design trends, diligently research best practices in user experience, and regularly train in the methods I use in my daily work. Like three-quarters of my generation, I'm aware that the world is at a turning point in the fight against climate change . Every day, I juggle managing complex projects with doing my bit for the environment. Sometimes, in this frantic, acrobatic frenzy, I feel like I'm doing everything wrong, which is why I keep learning. However…

Towards information saturation

The statistics are particularly revealing: two-thirds of managers in companies suffer from “ information overload ”. This term, originally called “Information Overload”, was popularized by the futurist Alvin Toffler in the 1970s, before taking the form of “ Infobesity ” in 1993, a term invented by David Shenk to describe the excessive accumulation of information that seems to stifle our intellectual faculties.

Today, we are overwhelmed by a constant stream of information , far exceeding what our brains can process. We find ourselves literally "stuffed," and the effects on our mental well-being are similar to those of food poisoning: loss of appetite, lack of motivation, excessive fatigue, and a growing sense of confusion. In reality, information overload and digital information overload are not only sources of stress, they also generate specific psychosocial risks known as technostress.

Some media outlets suggest that the most reliable way to meet this challenge is to disconnect . Indeed, to avoid the stressful effects of these time-consuming reads , the solution lies in the possibility of "limiting the amount of stressful information." However, when one works in a profession subject to an excessively rapid pace of change, and when environmental problems are worsening at an alarming rate, disconnecting seems increasingly difficult for some. The question then arises: is it still possible to find a balance?

Tilt: an enlightened vision of the major global challenges

Today, we are bombarded daily with an amount of information that we simply cannot absorb. Faced with this reality, Tilt offers a clear perspective on current and future challenges . This media outlet provides a variety of content, such as articles, videos, podcasts, and comics, addressing broad issues that require in-depth understanding. Whether it's climate change, inequality, social peace, or women's rights, Tilt offers both thought-provoking questions and resources to better understand and address these topics in an informed way.

More than just a news outlet, Tilt is a resource center, a curator, and a true player in the world of social engagement . By showcasing the work of associations, public services, and creators, Tilt fosters our commitment by encouraging active awareness and inspiring action. In short, Tilt offers much more than a simple source of information; it acts as a catalyst for our involvement in the challenges of our time.

Tilt: the ultimate personalized experience

Tilt goes even further by offering totally personalized experience to its users. It offers a path allowing users to choose their favorite themes from options such as consumption, environment and society. Additionally, users can indicate their level of knowledge on these subjects, ranging from “I don't know anything about it” to “I'm doing well” or “I'm mastering it”. Finally, Tilt also allows you to specify content type desired, whether audio, playback or video.
In just three simple steps, Tilt creates a selection of content specifically tailored to each user, keeping them informed of the latest news that matches their preferences.
I recently tested this feature by deliberately checking the “I know nothing about this” box, to see how Tilt guides users less familiar with these complex topics. The results were impressive, offering meetings with ambassadors committed to the ecological cause as well as clear, but not simplistic, explanations of major global issues. With Tilt, we can truly progress on the path to eco-awareness, whatever our starting point.”

“For an ecological awakening”, “Job that makes sense”: green employment centers

Faced with these complex and multifaceted challenges, a large number of people are mobilizing. Several surveys have revealed that in the summer of 2022, many French people became aware of the reality of ongoing climate change.

However, among 18- to 30-year-olds, grouped under the acronym Generation Z, 66% have not changed their perception of climate change following the events of 2022. This resistance to change is explained by the fact that this generation has been made aware of these issues from a very young age and is constantly informed thanks to its mastery of digital technologies. Generation Z is now positioning itself as a leader in initiatives aimed at a less worrisome future.

The collective " For an Ecological Awakening" clearly expresses in its manifesto its desire not to resign itself to a bleak future. They propose taking control of our collective destiny by anticipating and integrating social and environmental objectives into our daily lives and careers. Their ultimate goal is to change course and avoid becoming mired in the current situation.

In June 2023, the collective launched the " For the Jobs of Tomorrow" website , aiming to provide an overview of environmental issues for career guidance purposes . They identified 16 "projects" related to the socio-ecological transition, requiring a large workforce and new skills to transform these sectors. Each of these projects includes an analysis of sectoral challenges, a list of companies accepting unsolicited applications, job offers, and research organizations. Thanks to this "guide for the jobs of tomorrow," it is now possible and concrete to identify the crucial areas of activity for the ecological transition. The creation of these "ecological job hubs" encourages students to enter the workforce, motivates young (and not-so-young) professionals to pursue career development, and offers an opportunity for those who have lost all meaning in their work to begin a career change, all within the context of a successful ecological transition.

What do I consume?

Over the past two years, households subscribed to the regulated electricity tariff (also known as EDF's "blue tariff") have seen the price per kilowatt-hour reach particularly high levels. Even though a price cap was introduced in February 2022 to curb soaring prices on the wholesale markets, electricity prices have risen significantly, with increases ranging from 80% to 110%. According to estimates by Bruno Le Maire, this price cap will have cost nearly €40 billion.

Faced with this increase in prices, many users are becoming more and more interested in their electricity consumption and are asking themselves questions such as: What do I consume? How ? How much electricity does my home produce?

To meet this need for information, the Eco2mix application was developed. It provides all the indicators of electricity consumption and production in real time, at the national and regional levels. This application, implemented by RTE (the electricity transmission network), aims to help its users better understand and manage their electricity consumption.

Eco2mix is ​​a free application which brings together a database of more than 15 million data. It offers personalized access for both individuals and professionals, with information updated every 15 minutes.

Among the data provided daily, we find information on national electricity consumption, electricity production by sector (fuel oil, coal, bioenergy, gas, solar, etc.), CO2 emissions, trade (import and export to mainland France), or forecast data based on various factors, such as weather forecasts, calendar events, and past consumption history. These factors also include fluctuations related to weather conditions (such as temperature variations), calendar elements (such as holidays, school holidays and weekends), as well as consumption histories.

All this information is presented in a clear and simple way through graphics and interactive maps, allowing users to obtain a synthetic vision of the entire national territory. These tools facilitate comparison between French regions, which contributes to a better understanding of electricity dynamics in France.

Geev: the gold mine of a society that wastes less

Inflation is affecting all sectors, while global environmental concerns continue to grow. In these troubled times, more and more people are turning to responsible consumption patterns. Best practices include recycling, composting, consuming locally, reducing product consumption in general, resisting impulse purchases, favoring reusable products, and purchasing products that support those in need or who donate part of their prize to humanitarian causes.

With this in mind, many apps are fighting against waste, including Geev , an app for donating items and food. This app is free, but the subscription system offers numerous advantages, notably the ability to receive alerts about items in demand. Since donations are quickly requested, Geev encourages its community to remain active and vigilant. A wide variety of items can be found there (food, clothing, toys, electronics, furniture, etc.). In short, anything that has been purchased and can be donated. This type of alternative to buying offers two major advantages: saving money and participating in a more virtuous cycle of consumption.

Conclusion

Reality is sometimes the most difficult thing to grasp, each of us being both a witness and an actor, caught in the heart of a battle without having the necessary perspective or complete visibility. When we get lost in the forest of reality, all perspectives, all sources of knowledge and all initiatives take on crucial importance, as if we were climbing to the top of a tree to gain our bearings and determine our course.

Personally, I am optimistic by nature. The anxiety-provoking climate in which we operate can be uncomfortable, but it has the merit of focusing our commitment on the creation of a more responsible, more coherent and more human society.