Many of us have already switched to using compact fluorescent light bulbs, both for their money-saving and energy-saving qualities.  But if you have a light fixture that reveals the bulb... well, it didn't exactly become the high point of your interior designs.  Hide it under a bushel?  No!  Now you can let your eco-friendly bulbs shine proudly, with a fabulous new design called the Plumen 001!

This designer bulb uses 80% less energy and lasts 8 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.  It has an estimated life of 8 full years - wow!  Realized by the product design firm Hulger, with assistance from British designer Samuel Wilkinson, the Plumen 001's name is derived from the word “plume,” which describes a bird’s large and showy feather.  We think you'll definitely want to show this one off.  The bulb is artistic in nature, appearing in a variety of organic shapes and sculptural outlines when viewed from different angles.

Today is Blog Action Day 2009, and this year’s topic, selected by popular vote, is climate change. 

If you haven’t heard by now, there is a lot of scientific evidence that the earth’s atmosphere is changing due to man-made side effects of the consumption of fossil fuels.  Along with the atmospheric changes come weather and elemental changes such as melting glaciers and loss of habitat, rising oceans, droughts and loss of potable drinking water, tsunamis and hurricanes.  There is a tipping point, beyond which we cannot stop the mounting effects that will destroy much of the life on this planet.  It’s probably the single biggest challenge of our generation, and may be the defining act of humankind, how we respond to this self-created crisis.  So what can we, as designers, do to positively affect climate change?

Live, work and design sustainably.  Take a serious look at your workplace, your home, and your designs.  Do they incorporate sustainable principles?  Are you taking every possible measure to reduce your consumption, reuse what you have already and recycle anything else in a responsible manner?  Are you considering environmental and chemical factors when selecting products and finishes?  Do you provide a transparent service to your clients and educate them?  Are you educating yourself with the latest information on products, services and eco-design techniques?  (Furnicology.com can help you here!)

If you think the best way to have a green garden is with a huge expanse of lawn, you’re like most people. Lawns are a part of our culture, and are a ubiquitous feature of front yard landscaping. Unfortunately, they also need a lot of water to maintain their lush good looks, and water is a precious commodity in sunny California.

So, how can you maintain your yard’s good looks without that gorgeous lawn? The answer is simple – get creative and go with native, drought-resistant plants.  I was recently inspired by the wonderful landscaping at the Dierberg Winery (http://www.dierbergvineyard.com/) tasting room up in Santa Barbara County. Simple outcroppings of sage and lavender, coupled with rock lined beds and bark, really worked well together.

       

     Lundberg Design has won a competition put on by Clear Channel, and MTA to create a new bus shelter model for the city of San Francisco.  The original design called for photovoltaic cells that were housed in a glass canopy.  3-Form, agreed to create the wave like roof panels that were designed to replicate the hills of the city.  Instead of glass, the company created a polycarbonate that was made up of 40% pre consumer recycled material.  3-Form will be manufacturing 1,100 of the shelters for the city within the next five years.

    Energy consumption is a big problem that we are facing today. The United States is responsible for 25 percent of global warming pollution. 48 percent of energy consumption comes from buildings, and this sector generates more greenhouse gas emission than any other sector.  As designers we have a serious responsibility to promote change. Generation and use of energy are major contributors to air pollution and global climate change. That is why energy efficiency is one of the key elements when we think about sustainable buildings. Energy efficient choices can save families on their energy bills while reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well.  

    I found a great website (http://hes.lbl.gov/) sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), as part of the national ENERGY STAR Program for improving energy efficiency in homes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's PATH program, the California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program, and Touchstone Electric Cooperatives that help consumers identify the best ways to save energy in their homes, and find the resources to make it happen

    The Home Energy Saver calculates energy use and savings opportunities, based on a detailed description of the home provided by the user. You begin the process by entering your zip code and instantly receive initial estimates. By providing more information about the home the user will receive customized results along with energy-saving upgrade recommendations. The calculations are based on methods developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

   It is about time that we start doing something about this, and why not start doing it at our own home.