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.
Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that bananas are taboo for anyone who is concerned about rainforest destruction? Even if I seek out “fair trade” or organic bananas, am I feeding the demand which is causing rainforest to be cleared? — Laura Barnard, Hillsboro, Ohio Sadly, the short answers to these questi
Dear EarthTalk OK, so are cell phones emitting dangerous radiation or not? If so, which phones are safer that others and what do we do to minimize exposure? Luke Alderman Santa Fe, NM The jury is still out as to whether or not the radiation emitted by cell phones can cause negative health effects fo
Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that the BP oil leak is much more of an environmental threat than previous spills from tankers, and if so why? — Nathan Gore, Pawtucket, RI No one knows for sure how the ongoing oil catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico will affect the deep sea ecosystem, but scientists are no
Dear EarthTalk The U.S. got socked with several major storms this past winter. Local weather reports never mentioned this as odd. But is it a sign of global warming? R.
CITY HALL — In a series of votes late on Monday, the Planning Commission supported allowing developers to build taller projects in most areas of the city, sparking criticism from neighborhood activists and their allies on the commission.
CITY HALL — Hoping to improve recycling services for residents, the City Council is expected Tuesday to approve a $65,000 contract with Morley Construction Co.
