Climate Justice (News)

By Kevin Yamamura

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a landmark bill Tuesday to discourage sprawl in future decades, completing a deal among environmentalists, homebuilders and local governments on the final day of bill signing.

Senate Bill 375, by Democratic Sen. Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento, will push California communities to consider climate change impacts of development in regional planning, with an emphasis on reducing car travel.

By Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. - With hopscotch speed, Shanawa Littlebow leapt to the side of the road, scooped up a plastic bottle cap and fell back into line with his fellow walkers, passing trailer homes and gas stations along Jefferson-Davis Highway.

Sweat beaded at his temples and dampened the seat of his cargo shorts.

The Tigua Indian man walked and searched for litter — a feathered staff in the crook of his right arm — in honor of Mother Earth.

"There may be a lot of people who don't even care," he said. "But at least we're out here, and we're speaking out."

Newspaper reporters who cover the city of Richmond like to say it’s a great town to write about because of the “Three Cs,” which refers to crime, corruption and Chevron.

The Richmond City Council has long been an easy date for any organization or business willing to plow money back into re-election campaigns.