News, views, wide-ranging information, and interesting tid-bits from near and far...
Life-Cycle Studies: Toothpaste
By Ben Block, WorldWatch Institute
April 23, 2010
The toothbrush, in various forms, has long been well-regarded as the best
tool for a healthy mouth. What to use with it, however, is a more complicated, at times toxic, tale. With every
mouthful of toothpaste spat down the drain, a mix of questionably problematic chemicals flows into rivers, lakes,
and oceans downstream.
Torres-Martinez opens $3M wetland project
By Keith Matheny, The Desert Sun
May 1, 2010
The salt-crusted dirt, short shrubs and dust clouds along this area once covered by the Salton
Sea could preview what's coming on a grander scale as the sea continues to recede.
But travel a little further into Torres-Martinez tribal land along South Lincoln Street and another vision for
the sea's future emerges — green, lush, wet, teeming with birds, fish and wildlife. The tribe on Friday celebrated
the grand opening of its Desert Cahuilla Wetland, an 85-acre, approximately $3 million project that's nearly a
decade in the making.
Organic farm produce to show up in unlikely spots this summer
By Monica Eng, Chicago Tribune
April 24, 2010
Tollway oases among drop-off sites for expanding community supported agriculture movement;
Chris Ruder of Wicker Park wanted to eat more fruits and vegetables. He wanted to support local organic agriculture.
And he wanted to know the person growing his food.
Two local environmental actions undertaken by the Center for Biological Diversity :
Riverside County settles lawsuit over K-rat preserve
Southwest Riverside News Network, April 22, 2010
The 1,100-acre wildlife preserve near March Air Reserve Base will be safeguarded against industrial
development.
With the settlement of a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity and San Bernardino Audubon Society, last
Thursday the endangered Stephens' kangaroo rat and its Southern California sanctuary were saved from industrial-development
doom.
Groups Challenge Mega-development Sprawl in Rural Riverside County
Center for Biological Diversity, April 22, 2010
The Center for Biological Diversity and San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society filed suit today
challenging the County of Riverside’s approval of the Villages of Lakeview, a massive development of 11,350 residential
units and 500,000 square feet of commercial space in a remote area bordering the San Jacinto Wildlife Area.
U.S. Urban Residents Cut Water Usage; Utilities are Forced to Raise Prices
By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue
April 19, 2010
As municipal water consumption declines, cities raise rates and civic ire.
Last week the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, one of the nation’s largest municipal water suppliers,
announced that along with requiring its customers to use less water under mandatory conservation measures it also
would hike up the price for water by 15 percent over the next two years.
Many
soy veggie burgers contain toxic hexane
By Ethan Huff, Natural News
April 30, 2010
A recent study put out by the Cornucopia Institute (CI) explains the truth behind most processed
soy products that are sold as health foods. Many veggie burgers, which are often touted by soy-enthusiasts as being
healthier than meat, are actually made from highly processed soybeans that have undergone treatment with hexane,
an EPA-registered air pollutant and neurotoxin.
Earth Day West: Climate + Growth = Water Problems
Paul Yeager, AOL News
April 22, 2010
On Earth Day, it's fitting to talk about one of the -- if not the -- most pressing political,
social and ecological problem for California and the Desert Southwest in the coming years: a lack of fresh water.
The population will continue to grow, and the climate -- regardless of any potential influence of global warming
-- will be arid and inconsistent.
It's not that water problems are new to this region, of course. Water battles have raged for decades, including
political battles regarding communities getting enough water to satisfy large populations.