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.
SACRAMENTO — The California state Assembly will vote today on a bill written by Senator Fran Pavley (D-Santa Monica) that would ban a chemical some say is toxic that is often used in plastic baby bottles, sippy cups and the lining of formula cans.
Dear EarthTalk I heard about a supposed dangerous chemical called “triclosan” that is in many personal care and other consumer products. Can you enlighten? Carl Stoneman Richland, Wash.
CITY HALL — The City Council won’t finalize its plan to overhaul Santa Monica’s taxi cab permitting system until this fall, but cab companies are already raising concerns about the level of transparency in City Hall’s proposal to greatly reduce the number of cabs and cab companies in town.
