Photo via American Museum of Natural History Silk tapestries. You think of worms being farmed for the material, but not necessarily spiders. Yet spider silk is a super strong and beautiful material. One company based in Madagascar, however, shows that it’s tough but possible to amass enough spider silk to make an incredible tapestry. Over 1 million spiders collected by over 70 people were hooked up to hand-powered machines where people drew the silk from the spiders. After four years of work on everyone’s part, they created this golden piece of weaving. Click through to see a … Read the full story on TreeHugger

The rest is here: 
More Than 1 Million Spiders Used to Make 11-Foot Silk Tapestry

Everyone is hopping on board to help keep Copenhagen’s Christmas tree lit. The gorgeous tree is dependent upon passers-by, as it is pedal powered. The tree demonstrates energy efficiency – it’s lit only when people are gathered around to enjoy it. And it’s a statement to say that if everyone pitches in, we’ll be able to transition to a sustainable world. Check out the video of the tree – and its cycling admirers – in action. … Read the full story on TreeHugger

Read the original post:
Copenhagen Lights Pedal-Powered Christmas Tree, Sends a Message for Talks (Video)

For once I agree with Trevor Butterworth of Stats, who asks “where is the outrage?” when it comes to the question of why people are not getting worked up about the issue of Chinese drywall emitting hydrogen sulfide gas. But then he quotes another “eco-logic” blogger who writes: As to the usual fear entrepreneurial “green” groups such as NRDC, EWG, and US-PIRG, since there is no evil American corporation to blame this … Read the full story on TreeHugger

Read the original post: 
Who Says Greens Are Ignoring the Chinese Drywall Problem?

One of the strangest things about the ongoing non-controversy over the hacked climate emails is that it’s revealed how irrational much of the thinking behind global warming denial really is. It’s always been understood that people have fundamental reasons for resisting the idea that man’s behavior is causing the climate to change–especially if they’re deeply comfortable with said behavior. But I hadn’t realized how many people actually–I mean really, truly–believe that climate change is a nefarious conspiracy concocted by elite l… Read the full story on TreeHugger

See the rest here: 
Debunking the Great Global Warming Conspiracy Conspiracy

Image credit: Good Even in a notoriously car-dominated city like Los Angeles, people are fighting for better accommodation of cyclists. In fact, as Joseph Prichard explains in GOOD , LA could be a haven for bikes…. Read the full story on TreeHugger

View original here: 
Better Bikeways are Only a Sign Away

IBM has kicked off an interesting series of short videos that show how their tactics for creating highly efficient manufacturing facilities can be a model for making cities just as efficient. Check out this video that shows how the company uses micro-forecasting – predicting the weather in one very specific location (specific, as in a six block radius kind of specific) – to cool the equipment at their facility using as little electricity as possible. IBM thinks this very same type of micro-forecasting can be used within cities, drastically reducing the carbon footprint of our metropolises. Plus you get to see them blow something up. … Read the full story on TreeHugger

Read the rest here: 
IBM Uses Micro-Forecasting for Ultra Efficiency, Thinks Cities Should Do the Same (Video)

Image via Hammacher Schlemmer One would think a houseplant would be good enough for purifying the air in a room. But leave it to humans to try and improve upon the process by putting said plant into a machine. Check out the Botanical Air Purifier…. Read the full story on TreeHugger

Here is the original: 
Just What We Needed Dept: Mechanized House Plants for Extra Purified Air

Image credit: cytoon /Flickr Australia is no stranger to traumatic wildfires . Climate change is the likely culprit for the continent’s exceptionally severe blazes, but the indigenous people of Australia have been dealing with fire—indeed, managing it—for centuries. Among Australia’s indigenous communities, fire is actually considered a positive thing: a force of creation, not destruction. Now, the

Original post:
Traditional Fire Management Helps Fight Climate Change

” Holiday Gift Lists — The Best of the Web ,” a collection of short lists with your best “good” presents to keep your loved ones from rolling their eyes this gift-giving season. Google Earth, you better get on board! The US Geological Survey has produced some images that’ll knock your socks off — and help us understand how to help protect our planet over time. No patience for Black Friday? That’s ok — “

See the original post here: 
Top Stories from Tonic: Holiday Feasts, Gifts and Music to Watch For!

Microturbine maker Capstone launches a hybrid sports car at the Los Angeles Auto Show to demonstrate its technology. Originally posted at Los Angeles Auto Show

View original here:
Microturbine-powered hybrid supercar to debut in Los Angeles