At least 85% of single-use plastic items don’t get recycled, even if they carry the familiar triangular symbol. A California bill would restrict which plastics can bear the mark. As Sen. Ben Allen puts it: “Americans find recycling… more confusing than building IKEA furniture, doing their taxes, playing the stock market or understanding their spouse.”
Environment
Posted inEnvironment
Sewage line break along East Cliff causes contamination of Schwan Lake, other waterways
A temporary health advisory was also issued at Cowell Beach late last week due to elevated levels of bacteria, probably unrelated to the East Cliff situation. Swimming and wading should be avoided while the advisory is in effect.
Posted inEnvironment
Newsom asks Biden to ensure Pentagon OKs use of satellite data for wildfire program
California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants President Joe Biden to urge the Pentagon to continue providing sensitive satellite information to firefighters so they can spot and track wildfires — and Biden pledged to take up the issue.
Posted inEnvironment
Land Trust of Santa Cruz County hires new executive director
With former executive director Stephen Slade retiring, Felton resident Sarah Newkirk will assume the role for the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County.
Posted inEnvironment
Dixie fire scorches nearly 200,000 acres, doubling in size in days
Gusty winds and thunderstorms could exacerbate the conditions that are fueling the Dixie and Tamarack fires in Northern California. More than 5,400 personnel — including crews from Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Cal Fire’s local CZU unit, among others — are attacking the blaze around the clock.
Posted inEnvironment
Good luck getting a state rebate on your new electric car
California’s electric car rebate program is designed to steer consumers toward clean, environmentally friendly vehicles. Unfortunately for buyers, it’s confusing, unpredictable and underfunded.
Posted inEnvironment
Dixie fire, nearing 150K acres, now largest of the year in California
The Dixie fire, burning in Plumas and Butte counties, swelled beyond 140,000 acres Friday, while some began questioning management strategies on the 58,000-acre Tamarack fire along the California-Nevada state line.
Posted inEnvironment
One of America’s hottest cities is down to one water well. What happens if the taps go dry?
Taps could go dry for Needles’ 5,000 residents, who each drink as much as two gallons of water daily to cope with 120-degree temperatures.
Posted inEnvironment
Dixie fire burns more than 100,000 acres while Tamarack fire crosses state lines
The Dixie fire, burning in Butte and Plumas counties, is now the second fire in California to surpass 100,000 acres this year, after the Sugar fire. That came as the Tamarack fire swelled across the California-Nevada state line for the first time.
Posted inEnvironment
‘The sponge is completely dry’: Drone photos reveal the shocking truth of California’s parched landscape
Lake Orville, Lake Folsom and Lake Trinity give a glimpse into the state’s dry spell. “The reservoir levels we’re looking at are near-record low, with all the prospects that they will actually be record low by the end of the summer,” he said. “The mountains are dried out. The sponge is completely dry.”