Hair-raising attempts to raise environmental awareness

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The U.S. government is struggling to clean up the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has a way to help: Alpaca fur. According to National Geographic, Gulf Coast residents are hopeful that fleece sheared from the zoo animals can help absorb oil and protect the coastline. Volunteers are stuffing the alpaca hair into pantyhose to line the shore in hopes that it will soak up the oil. Results of the attempt are still unknown, but according to the zoo’s director, the animals were in need of new summer haircuts anyway.

Not impressed with the alpacas’ selfless desire to help the environment? Perhaps the following stories will be more inspirational.

Cold Case

Should the Secret Service investigate artist Vincent J.F. Huang for making threats against the president? Well, they should probably check out his artwork before making any rash decisions.

The Chinese artist’s newest sculpture is that of a polar bear eating President Obama.

According to AOL News, the piece entitled “Nemesis” represents the idea that no one, not even Obama, can escape global warming.

Seed Cups

On a less violent but equally environmental note, Triumph International wants to emphasize the importance of agriculture in Japan with a “Grow-Your-Own-Rice bra.” The Telegraph reports that the bra’s recyclable plastic pots double as its cups, and a hose worn around the lucky wearer’s waist waters the rice seedlings planted in each one.

Yoshiko Masuda, a spokeswoman for the company, explains that the company wants to allow women to understand farming on a personal level: “Home kits that allow people to grow their own rice are very popular online.

We thought it would be fun if a bra could give people the same experience.”

Recyclable Rabbits

Violating our personal space a little less than Triumph International, are six artists from Italy, Belgium, and France.

Their technique chosen to promote recycling: placing huge orange rabbits made of recycled plastic around various European cities.

Tonic reports that the artists call themselves “The Cracking Art Group,” and they hope to change art history with their massive plastic animals.

Long story short: Bunnies and bras and bears, oh my!