All About Climate Change

Climate change is caused by emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are released when fossil fuels are burned or forests are cleared. These gases rise into the atmosphere and can remain for decades or even centuries. As they build up, the gases create a "glass window" over the Earth, trapping in heat that would otherwise escape. As the Earth’s temperature rises, our climate begins to change, resulting in:

• Decreasing snow cover and sea ice
• Rising sea levels and increases in water temperature
• Increasing precipitation over middle and high latitudes
• Severe drought in lower latitudes, leading to food shortages and starvation
• Faster spread of disease
• Increasing frequency of extreme precipitation
• Compromised living conditions, financial burdens, and social and cultural disruptions will be felt, particularly impacting people of color, low-income, and indigenous communities

http://www.greenamerica.org/programs/climate/facts/index.cfm
Article courtesy of Green America

Herbs for the Health of It

Most of us have been using immunity boosting medicinal herbs all of our lives without even realizing it. Just take a quick peek inside your cupboard or refrigerator, and you’re likely to find spice jars filled with garlic, curry, cloves, cardamom, cayenne, and turmeric. Certainly your crisper, at one time or another, contained fresh foods such as parsley, ginger root, citrus, red peppers, green peppers, or horseradish. All of these items pack an herbal wellness punch, and many of them can be grown in your own garden.  http://www.greenamerica.org/livinggreen/Herbs-for-the-Health-of-It.cfm
Article courtesy of Green America by Debra Doubek

Golden Gate Bridge to Close for 2 Days in 2015

The agency that runs that Golden Gate Bridge says it plans to shut down the famous span for 52 hours in early January so contractors can install a moveable median barrier that is designed to prevent head-on crashes.  http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/california/Golden-Gate-Bridge-to-Close-for-2-Days-in-2015-282822101.html
Article courtesy of The Associated Press from NBCBayarea.com

Hybrid vehicle momentum stalls

Nowhere do automakers sell more hybrid vehicles than California, with its unique combination of environmental consciousness, high gas prices and traffic-choked highways.
But new hybrid models will be in short supply at this week's Los Angeles Auto Show — one sign that the technology is still struggling to break out of its green-car niche, experts say.  http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-la-auto-show-no-hybrids-20141121-story.html
Article courtesy of the Los Angeles Times by Charles Fleming

L.A. leaders break ground on long-awaited Westside subway extension

After more than three decades of planning and delay, Los Angeles officials broke ground Friday on the first phase of a Westside subway extension that will expand transit options along one of the most densely populated and congested corridors in the region.  http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-subway-20141107-story.html
Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times by Dan Weikel

Pot Farmers Steal Water Amid Epic Drought

The water that flows through California’s public lands and state parks is the life blood of the forests’ ecosystems. But in the midst of a water shortage, the Investigative Unit has found some criminals are disrupting nature’s course and stealing massive amounts of water meant for public lands.

Uber Wants to Raise $1 Billion to Expand Service

The ride-sharing company has set its sights on opening up shop in Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Africa.

Uber is already the highest valued private company in the Silicon Valley, and officials hope its reputation will help in the fundraising and expansion.http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Uber-Wants-to-Raise-1-Billion-to-Expand-Service-Worldwide-282057091.html

Article courtesy of NBC Bay Area by NBC Bay Area Staff

Gas Prices Continue to Fall Across US

Gas prices continue to fall across the nation, according to the Lundberg Survey.

The average price of gas nationally is $2.94 a gallon, which is down 13 cents from two weeks ago and down nearly 80 cents since May.  http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Gas-Prices-Continue-to-Fall-Across-US-282103341.html

Article courtesy of NBC-Bay Area by NBC Bay Area Staff

California geologist says quake fault lies beneath Hollywood project

California's state geologist has concluded that an active earthquake fault is underneath a massive proposed skyscraper project in Hollywood, setting the stage for a huge battle at City Hall over growth and seismic safety.
The California Geological Survey on Thursday released its final map showing the estimated path of the Hollywood fault. It shows the fault line running under the site of Millennium Hollywood, which would be the tallest and largest development in Hollywood history. http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-hollywood-fault-20141107-story.html#page=1
Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times by  Rong-Gong Lin III and Rosanna Xia

Built to defy severe quakes, the New Wilshire Grand is seismically chic

Under construction at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Figueroa Street, the New Wilshire Grand will be the tallest structure built in a seismic hot zone when completed in 2017. Its design has undergone the most sophisticated earthquake modeling performed on a building in Southern California  http://graphics.latimes.com/wilshire-grand-earthquakes/
Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times by Thomas Cuvwen

Heat, drought worsen smog in California, stalling decades of progress

Heat and extreme drought have worsened smog in California over the last year, stalling decades of progress toward cleaner air and increasing health risks.http://www.latimes.com/science/la-me-air-pollution-20141110-story.html
Article courtesy of the Los Angeles Times by Tony Barboza