Dear EarthTalk I don’t understand why many people oppose wind power just because they have to look at the turbines. If you ask me, wind turbines are much nicer-looking than coal-fired, waste-to-energy or nuclear power plants.
Dear EarthTalk Why is the plankton in the oceans dying? And what does this mean for the health of the oceans and marine life? Marilynn Block Portland, OR As the lowest link on the marine food chain, plankton — that tiny aquatic plant, animal and bacterial matter floating throughout the world’s ocean
Dear EarthTalk Has anyone ever studied the environmental impact of discarded cigarettes? I’m constantly appalled at the number of drivers I see pitching their butts out their car windows.
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.
