Words have power

Designing a sustainable digital future, one sentence at a time

A relic from my pandemic walks: this 'Make Love Not Cos' sign, sadly no longer there, brought a smile to my face every week

Let's be honest, as UX content designers, we often feel like we're fighting for a seat at the table. We’re the ones advocating for clarity, for user-centric language, for accessibility. But what if we started fighting for something even bigger? What if we used our words to fight for the planet?

I’m convinced that we, as a community of UX writers and content strategists, hold a key to unlocking a more sustainable digital future. It's not just about adding a "sustainability" section to a website; it’s about fundamentally changing how we approach our craft. It's about recognizing the profound impact our words have, not just on user behavior, but on the planet itself.

Beyond clicks: confronting the reality of digital waste

Think about it: every click, every page load, every unnecessary image contributes to the growing problem of digital waste. We, as UX content designers, can directly influence this. We can streamline user flows, simplify complex information, and advocate for leaner, more efficient digital experiences.

But how do we convince stakeholders that reducing digital waste is worth the effort? We frame it as a win-win. We show them the data: faster loading times improve user satisfaction and conversion rates. We explain that minimizing server load saves money on energy costs. We connect the dots between good UX and environmental responsibility. We show them that sustainable UX is simply better UX.

This means collaborating with developers, pushing for optimized images, and ruthlessly cutting unnecessary code. It means challenging the status quo of bloated websites and demanding a more sustainable approach to development. It’s about forging alliances and making them understand that green UX is not just a niche concept; it's the future of our industry.

Crafting narratives for change: promoting sustainable choices

We are storytellers. We craft narratives that guide users through digital experiences. So, why not use our skills to tell stories about sustainability? Why not use our words to promote eco-friendly products and services, to encourage sustainable behaviors?

We can move beyond generic platitudes and delve into the specifics. Instead of simply saying "eco-friendly," we can highlight the recycled content, the reduced packaging, the lower carbon footprint. We can use data and storytelling to connect with users on an emotional level, showing them the tangible impact of their choices. We can use keywords like "circular economy", "regenerative agriculture", and "environmental footprint" to not only improve SEO but also introduce users to new concepts and ways of thinking.

But to do this effectively, we need to collaborate with marketing teams, with product managers, with everyone involved in shaping the user experience. We need to convince them that sustainability is not just a marketing gimmick; it's a core value that should be woven into the fabric of our products and services.

Empowering users: designing for sustainable behavior

We have the power to influence how people interact with the world around them. We can design experiences that encourage sustainable behaviors, from reducing energy consumption to conserving water to minimizing waste.

We can provide clear, actionable tips, using empathetic and empowering language. We can design prompts and nudges that gently guide users towards more sustainable choices. We can incorporate principles of behavioral science to make sustainable actions easier and more appealing.

This requires collaboration with behavioral scientists, with environmental experts, with community leaders. We need to bring diverse perspectives to the table to create truly impactful change.

A call to action: let’s rewrite the future

This isn't just about adding a few keywords or optimizing a few images. This is about a fundamental shift in how we approach our work. This is about recognizing the power we have as UX content designers to shape a more sustainable future.

Let’s stop asking for permission and start taking the lead. Let’s start pushing for content design for sustainability to become a core part of our practice. Let’s start collaborating with everyone we can to create a truly sustainable digital world. Let’s rewrite the future, one sentence at a time. I believe we can do it. Do you?