Talking about Energy. Design and Language for the Energy Transition

The energy transition is central to contemporary debate and discourse, whether scientific, political, or social. Research, publications, funded programs, and awareness-raising projects are evidence of its relevance. Much is, therefore, being said about it, both from a global perspective, focusing on geo-economic balances and technological innovation, and from a local viewpoint, focusing on energy equity and accessibility and the realm of sustainable behavior. However, communication about energy is not always effective or transparent, and as a result, what communities and individuals perceive and learn seems far removed from their experience, as demonstrated by their resistance to change. Given these premises, it is in the authors’ interest to develop a reflection on the potential of design in developing proposals to engage as many people as possible, cognitively and emotionally, in the discourse on energy sustainability. Design, which by its very nature is capable of elaborating innovations of meaning in the everyday environment, can contribute to the development of knowledge, awareness, and critical sensibility to support the development of sustainable behavior through a new language. The article, therefore, reflects on the value of language in promoting sustainability. In particular, the presentation of selected cases in the design field provides an interpretive model for promoting a sustainable energy transition through art, design, and language innovation.