This is an introductory talk on some of the key themes in my recent book, Somebody Else’s Problem: Consumerism, Sustainability and Design (Greenleaf UK), on the environmental impacts of everyday consumption, and the role of established systems and ‘post-cautionary ‘ forms of design and production, in locking in high carbon forms of consumption, pollution and waste. I argue that we need to ensure all environmental costs are included in the price of all goods and services consumed, but explain why green individual choices in consumption are not enough to solve our problems.