Welcome to Monitor Notes, a weekly roundup of news items, event announcements, and updates on past Bay Area Monitor articles.
Go Green This Friday
As local air quality improves, “Green Friday” is a chance to extend our thankful feelings toward the outdoors, rain or shine. Retailer REI started the movement several years ago, and in the Bay Area there’s no shortage of parks for anyone wanting to focus on health and time with family and friends the day after Thanksgiving. Opting outside also inspires an appreciation for the environment in younger generations. An East Bay Times article features several spots to consider, in addition to Save the Redwoods League’s list of participating California parks.
Farm to Lab
Researchers say they have better insight into how crops like soybeans, wheat, and rice will respond to climate change. In outdoor labs, scientists from UC Davis and the University of Southampton blasted crops with air containing increased amounts of carbon dioxide to understand plant growth stimulators, as well as factors that pose hindrances. Feast on their findings here. Then read our urban agriculture coverage about growing fruits and veggies in local community gardens and other locations.
Navigating the Waters
The state’s water challenges — drought, dwindling snowpack, and climate change — are growing and complex. So what’s a new governor to do in this critical area? That was the question before 16 experts during a recent workshop by the Public Policy Institute of California’s Water Policy Center. Click here for a workshop summary and videos to hear discussion about how water policy is intersecting with economic issues and adapting systems to a changing climate. For more background, go deep into the Monitor’s 2014 article “Taking Stock of the Water Supply.”
When Cars Fly!
The August 22 edition of Monitor Notes informed readers about an MTC and ABAG competition calling for transportation improvement ideas. It turns out a total of 500 ideas costing over a $1 billion were submitted to reinvigorate the region’s transportation system. MTC and ABAG whittled that list down to a dozen finalists with proposed projects that will be analyzed for potential inclusion in Plan Bay Area 2050. Curious about which ideas didn’t make the cut? The Mercury News summed up the craziest submissions, including flying cars and a “California Carma” conveyor belt.
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