Earthquakes, like the one that struck today in Chile –which, at the time of this writing, is believed to have claimed 147 lives–are all the more devastating for their unpredictable nature. While geologists have resources available to indicate a probability of when a quake will strike, such as measurin… Read the full story on TreeHugger

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Can Animals Foresee Natural Disasters?

My cell phone makes me feel funny. Does yours? I couldn’t tell if it was my better body awareness from yoga or my generally strong cell phone neurosis (long live the bees !). Every time I held my phone up to my ear, I felt a vibratory drum-like sensation as though something external and vampire-ish was sucking life out of me. Dash in a little of my hypochondria and you can imagine the visions of brain tumors, breast cancer and salivary gland cancer

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Is Your New Phone (Apple iPhone, Perhaps) Cancer Causing, Too?

photo: Meghan Murphy, Smithsonian’s National Zoo While it may seem small now, at only about 3 pounds, this guy will grow to about 13 times its current size. It’s the Giant Pacific octopus and the National Zoo welcomed the first one of its kind last month. With an expected arm span of 25 feet, this mega octopus evokes memories of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. … Read the full story on TreeHugger

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Giant Octopus Comes to Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the Map Room Extraordinary image showing the projected times that a tsunami would hit other parts of the Pacific from the catastrophic Chilean earthquake this morning. Tsunami warnings have been issued as far north as Vancouver and around the pacific. Height of waves projected below…. Read the full story on TreeHugger

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A Picture is Worth: Mapping The Chilean Earthquake’s Tsunami

[ By Marc in Art & Design , Technology & Gadgets . ] Bob Basset is an artist whose creations are as fantastical as he is; Bob Basset doesn’t really exist, he’s a virtual stand-in for the four talented Ukrainian leatherworkers who produce the unique creations under his name. The group is made up of Oleg and Sergey Petrov, Andrei Patlin and Andrey Makaruk, and has become an underground success selling to a niche group of steampunk fans, BDSM participants, and those who simply appreciate fine leatherwork and one of a kind items. Here’s a tour through some of Bob Basset’s most intriguing and famous works: (Images via bobbasset ) One of Bob Basset’s newest creations, this steampunk toy takes the form of a dirigible meant for battle. Much like the giant airships that grace almost any story or film in the steampunk genre, this production has the clockwork elements and old fashioned aesthetic that marks it as a steampunk creation . Ships like this were the Victorian dream: beautiful in form and function, and powered by steam, the production of such ships would be incredibly green relative to the soot spewing machinery of the day. (Image via bobbasset ) A closer look reveals the level of detail placed into each of Bob Basset’s works, as a small steampunk soldier is visible in front of a wall of machinery. This dirigible is even more interesting because it strays far from Bob Basset’s more common creations: masks. (Images via steampunkpics , xtreamer , boingboing ) The upsurgence of interest in steampunk in recent years has been reflected by Bob Basset’s output, as they begin to concentrate increasingly on oddball masks that showcase the leather and metal aesthetic of the genre. One can’t help imagine these masks being used for survival after an ecological (and apocalyptic) disaster. Their fine craftsmanship almost makes one wish for an excuse to use them… almost. (Images via hemmy , odditycentral ) Nature’s most famous fictional creature is undoubtedly the dragon; a creature revered by many cultures as the ideal mix of grace, wisdom, and danger. Bob Basset gives one the opportunity to explore the possibilities of a fictional past in which dragons could be carried around as pets. Each of these visually compelling dragons is a fully functioning bag. (Image via coolthings ) Taking a closer look reveals dragon wings that look leathery and realistic. Each piece is a testament to the skill of Bob Basset’s leatherworking. They use traditional methods to come up with the most untraditional creations. They also often use resin, metal, and wood to add variety to their designs. (Images via legox , affigold ) While the steampunk mask designs are interesting in that they hearken back to the Victorian era, many of Bob Basset’s masks are darker and appear to be from a future of ecological collapse. These post apocalyptic designs are a mix of BDSM and road warrior. (Images via bobbasset ) One of H.P. Lovecraft’s most legendary fictional creations, Cthulhu is an amalgamation of all that is evil. Bob Basset has many models of this creature’s face, but this is by far the most detailed. One can’t help wondering if we’ll look something like this in a hundred generations, considering the amount of harmful toxins that are polluting our air and oceans. Want More? Click for Great Related Content on WebEcoist: 15 of the Wackiest Green Gadgets and Technology The green technology industry is booming, and some eco inventions – like a biodegradable coffin coffee table – are just plain weird. 7 Comments – Click Here to Read More »» 10 of the World’s Most Radical Recycling Projects 10 examples of amazing architecture, art and even fuel created from discarded materials like a decontamination chamber, used coffee filters and dirty diapers. 13 Comments – Click Here to Read More »» 15 Strangely Stylish Sustainable Furniture Designs Furniture designers have gotten incredibly creative when it comes to sustainable materials and concepts, to the point of the bizarre in some cases. 6 Comments – Click Here to Read More »» [ WebEcoist - By Marc in Art & Design , Technology & Gadgets . ]

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Bob Basset Creations: A Mix of Steampunk, Masks, and BDSM

The great American Southwest is mecca for many to get out of their skins and absorb big sky and red rock. But inspiring enough to start a shoe line? Yes, my southwestern sister. After Manimal founder/designer, Kristen Lombardi, took her first trip to the desert (she a native New Englander), she was completely inspired to create shoes capturing the essence of the space. She says her interest in traditional costumes and animal forms also influences the design of each moccasin and accessory (she has great jewelry and bags too), with her design process “driven by a deep appreciation for the almost forgotten world of artisan crafts and craftsmanship.” Let’s let it be known that these desert shoes are just as happy in the city (she is based out of Brooklyn, after all), and look great with just about anything. All pieces are handmade by a team of no more than three craftspeople in Brooklyn, New York, utilizing recycled leather scraps whenever possible. Kristen is also growing the vegan side of her line which is almost as inspiring as all that open southwestern space. Will they inspire you to smoke peyote and run wild through the sage brush? They just might, tumbleweed. Leave a comment below to win a pair of these amazingly soft, vegan, Rib Cage Flats. (For complete giveaway info, go here . And for FTC compliance info, here .)

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Manimal Moccasin Giveaway

Can John Kerry Help Create the Right Climate Bill? Sens. Kerry, Lieberman, and Graham have been meeting behind closed doors for months, presumably writing a new climate and energy bill. Without much word coming from the three, environmentalists have been left to speculate on the bill’s contents. Conventional wisdom said that the bill is a tweak of the climate and energy bill that passed the House last year , but now word is coming out that … Read the full story on TreeHugger

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Just What Exactly Are Lieberman, Kerry and Graham Cooking Up for the Climate?

Opening day for Johannesburg’s first bus rapid transit line. Photo via Rea Vaya . Last month, we applauded the five developing cities nominated by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy for its 2010 Sustainable Transport Award . The list included Johannesburg,

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Rich South Africans Oppose Green New BRT Lines; Say They ‘Damage Property Values’

Susan Cianciolo fall 2010 presentation, New York Fashion Week. Credit: Emma Grady We recently revealed the beauty secrets behind the vibrant colors at Susan Cianciolo ‘s presentation during New York Fashion Week and now, the beautifully constructed sustainable garments from her fall 2010 collection, “Underneath the sea, inside a mountain.” View photos from the event, held at White Box in New York City on February 17, and the handmade on… Read the full story on TreeHugger

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New York Fashion Week: Susan Cianciolo Fall 2010 – "Underneath the Sea, Inside a Mountain" (Photos)

Image credit: PETA Much like Blythe’s excellent slideshow on PETA porn , I’m never quite sure what to make of PETA . On the one hand, the constant focus on

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PETA’s at it Again: Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door 2010