As the food supply is increasingly altered by controversial practices like liberal use of antibiotics, genetic engineering and irradiation, food labels take on greater significance as shoppers’ only link to how products are produced.
DOWNTOWN — When Santa Monica Place reopens late next summer with a new look, it will do so with the distinction of being one of the few certified environmentally-friendly shopping centers in the country.
Dear EarthTalk How are heating, cooling and electricity produced by geothermal energy? I don’t understand how it works. Delano Stewart Wyandanch, NY The term “geothermal” is derived from the Greek words for Earth (geo) and heat (therme).
Dear EarthTalk Do you have current facts and figures about how much rainforest is being destroyed each day around the world, and for what purpose(s)? Teri via e-mail Pinning down exact numbers is nearly impossible, but most experts agree that we are losing upwards of 80,000 acres of tropical rainfor
Dear EarthTalk: Why are bed bugs a big issue right now? Where do they come from and what real harm do they do? Are there non-toxic ways of dealing with them? Harper H.
CITY HALL — Wanted in Santa Monica — a new city manager who’s a creative strategist, a wizard at financial management, embraces public participation and embodies the community’s social values of affordable housing and environmental responsibility.
Dear EarthTalk Not long ago there were concerns about honey bees disappearing. Are the bees still disappearing, and if so do we know why and do we have a solution? David Grand Rapids, Minn.
CITY HALL — A man confined to a wheelchair after he was struck by a Big Blue Bus while crossing the street will have a hefty sum of money coming his way.
Editor’s note: This story is part of an ongoing series that tracks the city’s expenditures appearing on upcoming Santa Monica City Council consent agendas.
Dear EarthTalk How can I make good use of the rainwater that runs down my roof and into my gutters? — Brian Smith, Nashua, NH For most of us, the rain that falls on our roof runs off into the ground or the sewer system.
Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that environmental non-profits have been hit hard by the economic downturn, and has this had an impact on their effectiveness? — Bridget W.
CITY HALL — A 58-year-old industrial building that was once home to the unconventional and progressive Southern California Institute of Architecture will no longer have protections against demolition after the City Council voted to repeal a landmark designation granted last year.
