Dear EarthTalk What is the status of Hawaiian monk seals and how will the new national monument designation in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands affect them? Polly LaBarre New York, NY Easily exploited by hunters, whalers and fishermen in the 19th century, Hawaiian monk seals essentially never
OCEAN PARK BLVD — A newly planted pine tree will be the center of a ceremony today celebrating Earth Day and National Arbor Day. City officials and students and faculty from the Art Institutes of California at Los Angeles and Hollywood are attending this public event.
CITY HALL — A significant number of employees are no longer participating in a rideshare program that provides free transit passes to those who choose not to drive to work, according to figures released by City Hall.
CITY HALL — Facing a tight deadline to get financing matters in order, city officials have released a prioritized list of major construction projects that could receive a chunk of redevelopment money.
Dear EarthTalk I don’t understand why there are many European diesel cars with very high mileage ratings that are not available in the U.S. Can you enlighten? John Healy Fairfield, CT Different countries do have differing standards in regard to how much pollution gasoline and diesel automobile engin
CITY HALL — A proposal to extend an existing ordinance that permits certain large projects if developers promise public benefits is receiving resistance from neighborhood groups.
CITY HALL — In the two years since residents were interviewed about their perceptions of the city, little has changed. Homelessness and congestion remain among the top challenges facing Santa Monica, while the lack of affordable housing and parking are still troublesome to many, according to a City
Dear EarthTalk: Aren’t orangutans seriously threatened by the cutting down of forests? — Nick Chermayeff, Greenwich, CT Deforestation is indeed the primary threat to the orangutan, a species of great ape known for its keen intelligence and the fact that it’s the largest animal to live primarily in t
CITY HALL — The Santa Monica Treesavers scored a victory on Tuesday when the City Council voted to establish a new task force that would advise on the development of an urban forest master plan.
Dear EarthTalk Are elephant populations stable these days? Reuben Perrin Hartford, CT Far from it. The double whammy of poaching (illegal hunting) and habitat loss has led to a dramatic decline in populations of both African and Asian elephants in recent decades.
OCEAN PARK BEACH — Actress Tanna Frederick remembers the first time she got up on a wave. She was learning to sail and decided on a whim to try surfing as well — one less thing between her and the “amazing playground” the native Iowan had found in the ocean.
CITY HALL — After hearing a flood of concerns from residents in the Pico Neighborhood over the proposed placement of a light rail maintenance yard near homes, Santa Monica city officials will begin exploring alternative locations.
