As a new-to-town resident, I have found fewer things more refreshing than the weather. (I came from Fresno, in the Central Valley of California, with averages topping 100 degrees during the summer months.
THE LANDFILL — aIt’s not much of a stretch to liken America’s relationship with cell phones to a once sizzling romance that ends in good-bye. Fated love affairs typically begin with inflamed passion before reality sets in, cooling the embers enough to allow more guarded, sometimes less attractive as
CITY HALL — When someone needed Herb Katz, they knew where to find him. There he would be every day, standing in the off-leash dog area at Joslyn Park, letting his two faithful companions run around with their tails wagging and tongues hanging loose as he caught up with his neighbors and constituent
Last night, I had a dream about an army of cotton T-shirts that called themselves the Beneficial Organic Brigade. For more efficient marketing, they went by B.
Dear EarthTalk How are populations of the world’s orca whales faring these days? Are we still in danger of losing them all in the wild? J. Witham Bangor, ME The largest member of the dolphin family and a major draw at marine parks, orcas (also known as “killer whales”) are highly intelligent and soc
Dear EarthTalk I’d like to know the relative electricity cost of utility scale solar and wind plants versus rooftop residential solar. In other words, how can I know whether to subsidize my utility’s alternative energy plant or renovate my own home? Randy Wilson Flagstaff, AZ Making such a determina
<i>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 I haven’t heard much of late about big oil spills like the infamous Exxon Valdez. Has the industry cleaned up its act, or do the media just not report them? Olivia G.
CITY HALL — Terry O’Day, an environmental activist who helped lead a campaign to defeat an anti-development measure last fall, resigned from the Planning Commission on Thursday citing a need to focus more attention on his family and career.
Dear EarthTalk What are some simple low cost improvements I can do to my home to make it greener? Stefan Lonce via e-mail According to consumer advocate Remar Sutton, there are many ways to save energy and other resources around the home without spending a lot of money.
Dear EarthTalk: What are some things that children and families can do to be greener (and to provide life lessons for the kids in the process)? Cynthia Mosher via e-mail There are many ways to be green around the family that are sure to rub off on the littler ones in your midst — if they don’t beat
The Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission has provided a grant to the city of Los Angeles for a new rainwater harvesting pilot program in the Mar Vista, Sawtelle and Jefferson communities, which will provide free assistance to residents and commercial businesses to collect rainwater for storage an
