Dear EarthTalk: Radioactive rain recently fell in Massachusetts, likely due to Japan’s nuclear mess. Given the threats of radiation, wouldn’t it be madness now to continue with nuclear power? How can President Obama include nukes as part of a “clean energy” agenda? — Bill Mason, Hartford, Conn.
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 heard that some reusable bags contain lead. Is this a major health concern? Can’t these bags be made to avoid such contamination? — Donald Young, Cincinnati, Ohio It’s true that some reusable shopping bags for sale in U.
CITY HALL — In February, amid discussions of raising city fees on everything from adult recreation leagues to municipal swimming pool admission, Councilmember Bobby Shriver called out what he felt was the “800-pound gorilla in the room.
Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that only a handful of outdated coal-burning power plants generate a sizable amount of the mercury pollution generated in the United States? If so, is anything being done to clean these sites up or shut them down? — Frank Pearson, Wichita, Kan.
CITYWIDE — Six months after the revised ordinance banning the use of leafblowers within city limits went into effect, the Office of Sustainability and the Environment has noted a major decrease in the number of reported violations, staff said.
Dear EarthTalk: Can you explain the 2010 Safe Cosmetics Act? What does it purport to do and has it been signed into law? — Megan Wilson, Austin, Texas The Safe Cosmetics Act was introduced in the U.
CITY HALL — If city officials get their way, harnessing green energy will be a little bit easier on the wallet. Solar energy has long been discussed as a strong candidate for renewable energy because by the time the sun is no longer there to produce it, we won’t be either.
Dear EarthTalk How are wild dolphins faring on the high seas? Recent reports of dolphin deaths in the Gulf of Mexico may well be due to last year’s BP oil spill, but I imagine there are many threats to dolphins from pollution, human overfishing and other causes.
Dear EarthTalk I heard someone say that legalizing pot — as Californians considered doing last year — would benefit the environment. How would that be? William T.
Dear Earth Talk How healthy is soy? I heard that, despite its healthy image, most soy is grown using chemicals like other crops and is even being genetically modified.
Dear EarthTalk Not long ago we were reading a lot about hydrogen’s role in a clean energy future, with cars transitioning from gasoline-powered engines to hydrogen-powered fuel cells.
