Dear EarthTalk I know that local food has health and environmental benefits, but my local grocer only carries a few items. Is there a push for bigger supermarkets to carry locally produced food? Maria Fine Somerville, MA By eating locally sourced foods, we strengthen the bond between local farmers a
CITY HALL — Smokers who enjoy an occasional drag out on their patios better light up while they still can. That’s because the City Council on Tuesday voted to strengthen Santa Monica’s already strict anti-smoking laws, adding a restriction that bars people from lighting up within 25-feet of a door o
OCEAN AVENUE — Santa Monica continues to have some of the most polluted beaches in California, with the Santa Monica Pier failing to meet clean water criteria nearly half the time, according to an annual study released Wednesday by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Dear EarthTalk: I’ve noticed that wildflower blooms in the mountains have been coming earlier and earlier in recent years. Is this a sign of global warming? And what does this mean for the long term survival of these hardy yet rare plants? Ashley J.
CITY HALL — Gleam Davis may not have Michael Jordan and Larry Bird on her side, but, at least in Santa Monica politics, she’s got a pair that’s just as potent: Former mayor and one-time Chamber of Commerce president Nat Trives and former mayor and Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights co-founder Denny
Dear EarthTalk I heard that some wind farms use fossil fuels to power their generators when the wind won’t. Doesn’t that defeat their whole renewable energy purpose? Why not let the wind power it or not? Also, I’ve heard that the low-frequency sounds generated by these turbines can harm people and a
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 Where do you recycle plastic stuff like sandwich bags, Saran wrap and plastic grocery store wrappers? Can they just go in with other plastics in the recycling bin? There never seems to be any information available about this.
SACRAMENTO — After twice voting down a bill that would ban a chemical some say is toxic from being used in baby bottles and other products, the state Assembly earlier this month approved the bill written by Sen.
CITY HALL — Wrapping up the six-year process of updating Santa Monica’s general plan with a marathon final meeting Tuesday night, the City Council unanimously approved the Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE), agreeing to a framework that will guide development for the next 20 years.
CITY HALL — After six years of work, Santa Monica’s general plan update — the document that will guide real estate development in town during the next 20 years — is headed for final approval tonight, culminating a month of sometimes contentious public hearings.
Dear EarthTalk: What does it mean when one uses the phrase, “building a green economy?” I’ve heard it repeated a few times lately and would like to have a better understanding of the concept.
