Dear EarthTalk: Merino wool undergarments tout themselves as being kinder to the environment than other wools or synthetics. How is this so? — Stella Cooley, Bangor, ME Since the 1970s, professional athletes and weekend warriors alike have sworn by base layers made out of synthetic “fibers” that wou
Dear EarthTalk What are the environmental benefits of the hydroponic growing of lettuce and other crops? Bruce Keeler Oakland, Calif. While organic agriculture is all the rage, growing by leaps and bounds to meet increased consumer demand for healthier food, another option that’s less well known but
CITY HALL — Southern Californians may be notoriously pathetic when it comes to dealing with a little wet weather, but a small (and growing) number of them are raising the bar by doing their part to keep rainwater from flowing into the Santa Monica Bay with their own rain-storage devices.
Dear EarthTalk I’m considering going for a teeth whitening, but is this safe to do? Clara Reid Kent, Wash. In the U.S., teeth whitening products are not regulated by the U.
CITY HALL — After years in the works, the City Council is set to take a step toward greatly limiting the number of taxi cabs allowed to operate in Santa Monica.
Dear EarthTalk Are there efforts to increase bike lanes and paths around the nation? I’d like to be able to bike more instead of drive, but I’m concerned about safety.
DOWNTOWN — Right now, electric car company Coda is a startup in an unproven industry whose employees are still settling into its new headquarters at Broadway and Ninth Street.
CIVIC CENTER — In an effort to get drivers to pay more attention to what’s in front of them, City Hall has installed Santa Monica’s first solar-powered LED stop sign.
Dear EarthTalk: I’ve heard conflicting reports regarding how long it really takes for a plastic grocery bag to decompose. Can you set the record straight? — Martha Blount, San Diego, Calif.
Dear EarthTalk What would it take to produce “green” tires? The tire industry is huge and I understand that tires contain a large amount of petroleum products.
CITY HALL — In a move meant to crackdown on illegal leaf blowing, the City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to change the way City Hall enforces its ban on the noisy machines and opted to spend $55,000 to hire a new leaf blower point person.
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.
