An Elegant Design

For millennia, the Earth operated with an elegant design: a naturally self-regulating system in which carbon was never waste. Instead, it was the fundamental currency of life. Through photosynthesisiThe solar-powered process that transforms sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into vital nutrients and oxygen, providing the energy essential for all life on Earth., the Earth “inhales” CO₂ from the atmosphere, storing it within the cellular structures of forests, depths of the soil, and expanse of our oceans. Carbon accumulates in living structures and then, as that matter decomposes, it releases the nutrients that nourish the next generation — from the mycelium iA subterranean fungal network that decomposes organic matter, recycling waste into vital nutrients that nourish the soil and sustain the health of entire ecosystems. recycling the forest floor to the plankton iFloating aquatic organisms that drift with currents, converting energy into vital nutrients and oxygen, forming the foundational food source for all marine life. replenishing the sea — in turn feeding Earth’s tallest trees and largest marine mammals. These are virtuous, closed loops, not dead ends.

Remarkably, this cycle also functioned as the planet’s thermostat, providing the climate-stabilizing foundation of viable temperatures that allowed all forms of life to flourish. And in this balanced state, carbon was a vital building block moving rhythmically between the atmosphere and the living world, keeping the Earth’s climate and thriving lifecycles in check. Equilibrium.

The Linear Bypass

The Industrial Revolution engineered a linear bypass that disrupted these circular systems. Now the whole world is contending with the unintended consequences. We began unearthing “ancient” carbon — fossil fuels tucked away for millions of years — burning them for energy and refining them into petrochemicals that produce myriad plastic materials, which shape our modern world.

This unraveled the elegant design imperceptibly at first, but then exponentially, stretching its circular loops into a straight line of ever-increasing, enduring waste. And by continuously emitting carbon that had been safely stored underground, we overwhelmed the Earth’s ability to self-regulate. The result is an atmospheric burden pushed beyond its capacity, creating conditions that resemble an overflowing bathtub i. The “faucets” of emissions are wide open, and the natural “drains” — our lands and oceans — can no longer keep up.

What’s more, because these excess emissions remain in our atmosphere for centuries, they continue to trap heat. To restore the system, we need to do more than turn down the faucet; we must open the drains, remove the excess, and redesign the industrial processes causing this systemic decline. The good news is that dedicated thinkers and doers are driving new restorative initiatives around the world with both proven and transformative results. Powerful.

The Material Frontier

How can we learn from industrial regression and turn it into a resourceful opportunity? We start by reframing CO₂. It is not merely a pollutant; it’s a valuable feedstock — a raw material for a new frontier where designers, scientists, and engineers co-develop climate-positive solutions. This is Carbon Utilization iThe process of capturing CO₂ from industrial or atmospheric sources and converting it into a wide array of products — such as building materials, synthetic fuels, or chemicals — transforming a waste gas into a valuable resource. (CU).

Through innovative chemistry, captured carbon can be mineralized iCaptured carbon emissions which are turned into a solid, rock-like material that can replace a high percentage of carbon-heavy cement, permanently locking the gas away within our buildings and infrastructure. into concrete, transformed iCaptured carbon can replace the petrochemicals used to make plastics, acting as a new feedstock for creating everything from household goods to durable resins. into polymers, or spun into textiles. When architects specify carbon-negative iA carbon-negative material goes a step further than carbon-neutral by removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it emits during its entire lifecycle (from extraction to manufacturing and transport). The material itself acts as a “carbon sink,” storing carbon that was previously in the air. For example, a bio-based material like cork or hemp sequesters carbon as it grows; if the energy used to process it is low enough, the final product remains net negative.
concrete or designers select CO₂-based plastics, they help store atmospheric carbon in the built environment. Rigorous climate modeling iModeling refers to Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs)—complex mathematical simulations used by scientists and economists to project the future of the Earth’s climate. These models combine data on physics, energy use, economic growth, and technological development to predict how specific changes—like switching to mass timber or implementing carbon waste management—will impact global temperature and atmospheric CO₂ levels. from organizations like the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that these approaches could cut 10% of annual global emissions by 2030, with substantial growth projected by mid-century as the technologies scale and mature. The outcome is no longer a carbon source, but a vital carbon sinkiA natural or artificial system that absorbs and stores more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it releases back into the air.. And this is how material specifications contribute to a restorative climate strategy.

Expanding this toolkit, pioneering architects are exploring new ways to integrate Direct Air Capture iDirect air capture (DAC) refers to technologies designed for removing excess CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it safely deep underground or using it in a wide variety of products. DAC is different from carbon capture and storage (CCS), which captures emissions at a point source like a smokestack. (DAC) into building structures while prioritizing the use of natural “bio-based carbon” iA renewable carbon source — derived from terrestrial plants, agricultural waste, or marine algae — that provides a vital ingredient for creating diverse and sustainable circular product materials. through mass timberiMass Timber refers to high-strength, engineered wood elements—ranging from beams and columns to large panels like Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)—used for a building’s main structure. It acts as a sustainable alternative to steel or concrete, permanently storing the carbon absorbed by trees., straw bale insulation iThis is a natural method of keeping buildings warm or cool by using tightly packed blocks of straw inside the walls. Since straw is a renewable agricultural byproduct, it is an excellent way to trap carbon in the building’s structure while providing high energy efficiency., and regenerative landscapes iRegenerative landscapes are outdoor green spaces designed to restore local ecosystems by improving soil quality and biodiversity, allowing them to pull significantly more carbon from the atmosphere than traditional landscaping.. These transformative methods allow us to participate constructively in the carbon cycle at every scale — from consumer products (like reusable cutlery, running shoes, and performance apparel) to the construction of entire city blocks. Ultimately, whether through climate-tech systems or the ancient technology of trees, we’re learning how to pull carbon back into the Earth’s natural rhythm and restore safer, healthier, and more stable climate conditions — while delivering products people desire.

Rebalancing Systems

When utilizing carbon waste — whether it originates as a gas from a smokestack, a solid in a landfill, or a liquid in municipal wastewater — we’re practicing circularity by repurposing waste at its molecular level. This isn’t theory; it’s no longer a niche. Carbon utilization is estimated to become a trillion-dollar industry iSource: The Global CO₂ Initiative (University of Michigan). McKinsey & Company and the Carbon180 also report on the ‘carbon economy’, its valuations and timelines based on the pace of technology adoption and policy support. by 2030, a high-growth frontier where carbon waste management iThis refers to the systems used to capture and repurpose carbon emissions that would otherwise pollute the atmosphere. By treating CO₂ as a valuable feedstock rather than a waste product, this process redirects captured carbon into the manufacturing of building materials, fuels, and other goods, creating a “closed-loop” industrial system. and circular design iCircular Design encompasses guiding principles that focus on key product and service design decisions, creating solutions that retain value and perform across multiple lifecycles, not just one. finally converge.

Our climate’s current instability is a structural failure, but structural failures can be corrected. Through greater awareness, stronger advocacy, and quicker action, our better-informed intentions and deliberate specifications will drive material change. Each time we choose circular products or integrate carbon utilization into our work, we help reestablish our climate’s equilibrium. Each time we close a material loop, we help transform a warming world into a rebalanced system. (See more below.) And through these actions — each step repeated, accelerated, and scaled over the years ahead — we can help restore our climate.

It is necessary. It’s underway. And our collective persistence will help us circle back for good.

With you, we can do a lot more.

Lew Epstein

Founder / CEO

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How To Participate

Join those helping us circle back by participating in whatever way works best for you.

Below are several groupings of ways to participate, each viewed through a climate action lens. Options range from easy entry points to varying challenge levels for design professionals, educators, and students exploring how to design for decarbonization. Use the information as is, add critical measures that align with your goals, or send a note to info@lot21.org for more examples of how to participate in meaningful ways.

For Industrial Design

For Building Architecture

For Interior Architecture

For Landscape Architecture