Humanitarian Design

Ok...since seeing An Inconvenient Truth, I'll admit I've been REALLY trying to be more energy aware. So, I thought it might be a good idea to keep the ball rolling and occasionally post some resources and news advocating responsible energy use especially as it pertains to art and design. I have written here before about Accountability in Design which was in response to Eric Karjaluoto's Branding Tragedy at ideasonideas.

During the month of June, PBS is doing an ongoing special series narrated by Brad Pitt called design:e2 (that's E squared) which explores "the economies of being environmentally conscious." The series presents "8 different topics from sustainable architecture to water culture to alternative energy to organic farming to recycled clothing and more" each challenging us to "live smarter, greener and with the future in mind." The design:e2 website provides a variety of resources which are available for download. A pdf pocketguide with tips for living a simpler more energy efficient life can be found here. There is also access to free video podcasts, and audio podcasts on an updated weekly basis. You can subscribe to the videocasts at iTunes too, of course. And btw...the design:e2 website is awful pretty as well.

June 30th is the release date for a new book, entitled Design Like You Give a Damn: Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crises by Cameron Sinclair and Kate Stohr.

"Edited by Architecture for Humanity, Design Like You Give a Damn is a compendium of innovative projects from around the world that demonstrate the power of design to improve lives. The first book to bring the best of humanitarian architecture and design to the printed page, Design Like You Give a Damn offers a history of the movement toward socially conscious design and showcases more than 80 contemporary solutions to such urgent needs as basic shelter, health care, education, and access to clean water, energy, and sanitation."

What can you suggest, as designers and artists, for us to live and work more energy efficient?