Nature Inspired Guidelines to Effectively Communicate Sustainability Messages

Abstract: Communication patterns in nature were studied in order to address the challenge of effectively communicating sustainability messages. Fourteen patterns were found in nature and translated into user-friendly guidelines called Guidelines for Effective Communication of Sustainability Messages. These Guidelines were given to sustainability experts and peers for overall feedback and insights. Their responses showed that these Guidelines could be used to improve communication of sustainability messages by using them as a checklist and a design tool when designing messages and methods for communicating sustainability. Using these Guidelines as a tool within the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD) could also help people better understand today’s sustainability challenges and the need for adopting a strategic approach used within the FSSD.