California Communities to Receive $9.3 Million for Sustainable Development

The California Sustainable Strategies Pilot Program has announced that it will award $9.3 million to thirteen California communities. Funding for each community will go to implement, test and document sustainable development strategies in the course of a specific project. Program Director Lynn Jacobs said that "This pilot program will provide valuable insights to allow the state to implement best practices and strategies as we move forward with our sustainable development goals in California."

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=vyomgzaab&v=001u9MKVAvAK1xqMUwiKMDZfCU-hFggYkqH6SBH6j7orBZZltUb-P5hNu_o6Sv8VA4UQJi1KnzDHFHSJ9JcjAsmFrzsssOKLwhy1wD_IVpEbnEE4s1GkbUOcJvtwfoz6oJB1opXBsQHz9on73oMm3X0frJFNxCY__3nDnY5JMBTzIbqSQTQHdH6whf-J8Mh0zQJG9qdiW_FL6dulgiFK5Nc65-44AiEDsnndBtcD47M8x3hAtE2jK9ieNpZXHsc6Hvu

Article courtesy of Smart Growth online

Smart Growth Curbs Car Use, Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A new study from San Francisco State University found that cities that adopt smart growth approaches could substantially reduce the number of miles that residents drive in a year. The nationwide study found that a 10 percent increase in a city's smart growth features—including housing density, jobs per capita, and public transit infrastructure—would lead to a 20 percent decrease in the number of vehicle miles traveled per household, per year  http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=vyomgzaab&v=001u9MKVAvAK1xqMUwiKMDZfCU-hFggYkqH6SBH6j7orBZZltUb-P5hNu_o6Sv8VA4UQJi1KnzDHFHSJ9JcjAsmFrzsssOKLwhy1wD_IVpEbnEE4s1GkbUOcJvtwfoz6oJB1opXBsQHz9on73oMm3X0frJFNxCY__3nDnY5JMBTzIbqSQTQHdH6whf-J8Mh0zQJG9qdiW_FL6dulgiFK5Nc65-44AiEDsnndBtcD47M8x3hAtE2jK9ieNpZXHsc6Hvu

Article courtesy of Smart Growth online

 

Johnson and Johnson to Remove Suspect Chemicals from Products

Johnson & Johnson has announced that it will stop or reduce use of several chemicals that advocates have long criticized the beauty and personal care industries for using in its products.
The global company, one of the largest of its kind, will stop or reduce the use of 1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde, parabens, triclosan, certan phthalates and other chemicals of concern by 2015. Johnson & Johnson products are sold under dozens of well-known brands, including Aveeno and Neutrogena, in addition to the namesake Johnson's Baby Shampoo.
Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/johnson-johnson-chemicals-2012#ixzz26qGuwmyu  Article courtesy of The Daily Green

Foods With Pesticide Residue

The benefits of eating organic food go straight to the farm, where no pesticides and chemical fertilizers are used to grow the organic produce shipped to grocers. That means workers and farm neighbors aren't exposed to potentially harmful chemicals, it means less fossil fuel converted into fertilizers and it means healthier soil that should sustain crops for generations to come.
Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/dirty-dozen-foods#ixzz26qFykSjB

Article courtesy of The Daily Green

Hub startup's humanoid robot has 'common sense'

A Boston startup today will unveil what it calls the world’s first humanoid robots that can apply “common sense” behavior in manufacturing situations.

Rethink Robotics’ $22,000, ready-to-use “Baxter” is four years in the making and the company’s first product. http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061161130&position=0

 

Drought has Mississippi River barge traffic all choked up

Drought has reduced the Mississippi to a relative trickle, and even the dozens of inches of rainfall from Hurricane Isaac will change little on the river. The best crops of corn and soybeans in a generation are awaiting shipment by Mississippi barges — and won't wait forever before spoiling. The window is about 10 days, and once it closes, consumers across the country will feel the bite of higher prices. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-mississippi-river-20120902,0,6051251.story  Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times by Julie Cart

Scientists find a new benefit of coffee: It reduces pain

Scientists in Norway have more good news for coffee drinkers. Researchers have already found evidence that the drink -- or the beans it’s brewed from -- can help with weight loss, reduce one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, boost muscle growth, protect against certain types of cancers, and can even reduce one’s risk of premature death, among many other benefits.  http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-coffee-reduces-pain-20120905,0,49544.story

Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times-Science Now by Karen Kaplan