Visual approaches in packaging design with the purpose of raising awareness for climate change

In this research, the impacts of plastic to the climate change, which is considered to be the most detrimental object to the nature, and the outcomes of these impacts, are examined. The suggestions for reducing the pressure on earth for a more sustainable life and for eliminating or reducing the negative effects of the future are compiled. Initially the role of plastic and therefore packaging within the context of climate change in terms of these suggestions stand as the bases of the research. The field of packaging is evaluated and the graphic designs that raise awareness are examined. As a result of this study, the alternative suggestions in the packaging industry are introduced for the graphic designer in order to be responsible about the nature. The primary subjects of the first chapter are the definition of the climate change, the factors that have an effect on this process, the changes that come to the fore as consequences of these factors, and the ongoing searches for solutions within this context. Government policies about the climate change and some agreements within the scope of "sustainability" which is one of the hot topics among the searches for solutions are discussed. Apart from the government policies, the impacts, which can be caused by the personal choices of the individuals that they can make in their lives and the rights and responsibilities of the individuals in the context of the communal life are exemplified. The stages of the "packaging" process which are evaluated pursuant to climate change, printing and its techniques are clarified and some case studies are mentioned. Ecological printing method and choise of ecological font are active participants of the subject and important details that are mentioned in the chapter. Primarily the relationship between packaging and the climate change is mentioned. The importance of the packaging design in terms of sustainability and the searches for sustainable solutions are examined within this context. The significance of the ecological preferences in material choices are emphasized and the case studies are gathered within the scope of the graphic designer's responsibilities. By taking the responsibilities correctly about the "life" in terms of the cases and examples that are examined in this research, the minimum choices that can be made as an individual and a graphic artist are evaluated and exemplified. Keywords: Climate change, Sustainability, Packaging, Plastic