Dear EarthTalk Is it true that the bathroom is where over half of our household water usage takes place? What are some ways to take a bite out of that? Shelby McIntyre Chico, Calif.
Dear EarthTalk: Are there healthy, green-friendly mouthwashes? I’ve heard that some contain formaldehyde and other nasty substances. — Marina Sandberg, Albany, NY Many mainstream mouthwashes contain ingredients that you definitely don’t want to swallow, or even put down the drain.
Dear EarthTalk How is it that global warming could negatively impact water supplies in the U.S.? Penny Wilcox Austin, Texas Climate change promises to have a very big impact on water supplies in the United States as well as around the world.
Dear EarthTalk What’s the story with echinacea? Many herb teas contain it, and many people swear by it as a cold remedy. But I’ve also seen headlines saying that the herb has no medicinal value whatsoever.
Dear EarthTalk: I always hear about hair products and sprays that claim to be natural and organic based. What are some hair products that can be purchased that are legit and cause no harm to the environment? — Penny Siegel, Milwaukee, Wisc.
Dear EarthTalk Recycling can be a somewhat time-consuming task; so can you please provide some benefits of taking the time to separate my trash? Joseph Jiminez Houston, Texas Recycling, which turns materials that would otherwise be incinerated or become landfill-clogging waste into valuable resource
CITY HALL — A new look at the way City Hall disposes of waste has a long-time provider of recycling services nervous about its future and the future of recycling in Santa Monica.
CITY HALL — The City Council voted Tuesday to restrict smoking in new hotels, but held off implementing rules on multi-unit housing until staff could address concerns about privacy and compatibility with federal and state financing laws.
CITYWIDE — Santa Monica-based environmental watchdog Heal the Bay is encouraging residents across Los Angeles County to go a day without a bag Thursday as part of its effort to spread the word about the dangers of using plastic bags.
Dear EarthTalk: I know that large fish contain a lot of mercury, but where does it come from? And what are we doing to prevent this contamination? Alison Bronner Atlanta, GA Mercury in the fish we like to eat is a big problem in the United States and increasingly around the world.
CITY HALL — The Third Street Promenade is home to a diverse selection of restaurants and some of the nation’s most popular retailers. Soon it could be home to car dealerships as well.
Dear EarthTalk I heard that the less meat one eats, the better it is for the environment. How so? Jason K. Sarasota, Fla. Our meat consumption habits take a serious toll on the environment.
