Climate change is here. Whether or not you believe it, the evidence is plain – on-going severe droughts, steadily rising temps, rising sea levels and more frequent severe weather events like tornadoes, earthquakes and flooding. This last challenge has been addressed one of the 2012 red dot design concept winners.

The Defender “sandbag” is designed for flood control. This innovative “bag” doesn’t contain sand like traditional sandbags. Made with absorbent recycled paper fiber, one long edge of its shell of impermeable material is open. When it’s dry, it’s lightweight and easy to handle. As it absorbs floodwater, the fiber becomes heavy with the weight of the water.

If it makes it into production, the Defender looks like it will be a handy tool to help business and homeowners deal with rising waters more easily and effectively.