Posted on 01/06/2007 10:32:19 PM PST by quantim
One may ask what polar bears have to do with life in the Napa Valley.
We learned in late 2006 that the polar bears, those majestic arctic animals of nature films and Coca-Cola commercials, are soon to be added to the endangered species list. Their habitat is being destroyed as global warming continues to reduce the polar ice cap. Will polar bears survive the 21st century?
But there is more to consider: Hurricane Katrina, the violent weather now hitting the Pacific Northwest, ski resorts in Europe without snow, parts of our world facing unexpected droughts all demonstrate that our climate is changing and that we, the people of this beautiful planet, have caused it to change. Will it be long before the micro-climates of the worlds wine regions also change? Will certain wine regions become too cool for grapes while others become too warm? Will certain areas become flood basins as sea levels are affected? How will the wine industry be affected by the ongoing climate changes? How will our lives be affected by such changes?
Do we sit and watch, or do we do something about this?
2007 brings a new year. It must also bring a new awareness about what each of us can do to protect our environment. Environmental Consciousness, a movement that started in the 60s, has now matured into Environmental Responsibility. Hybrid cars, organic groceries, recycled products, green construction, sustainable agriculture and many related movements have become a permanent part of everyday life. Yet there is more that we can do.
The city of Napa will bring forward a green building ordinance in 2007, and thus influence more environmentally responsible construction throughout the city. A similar effort will follow to bring such an ordinance to the county. In the private sector, one of the valleys premier philanthropic organizations is moving ahead with a landmark Sustainable Napa Valley Initiative that will set a new standard for environmentally responsible philanthropy. These are all wonderful, progressive efforts.
This should be the year for every valley resident to make the effort to improve our environment locally and globally. Todays print and visual medias are filled with environmental reports, green guidelines, green checklists and similar information about how we can improve our environment, reduce energy usage, make our air and water cleaner, improve indoor air quality and bring an end to climate change. All the knowledge required to make a difference is there for the taking. It is action that is needed.
Lets make 2007 our most environmentally responsible year yet. Lets make this a year when we improved our planet instead of degrading it. Lets make this a year when our Napa Valley became greener. Lets make this a year when we helped to save the polar bears.
Napa Oenology global warming news ping.
Wow, so much blithering stupidity in one article. I didn't think it was possible.
We're doomed, ping.
LOL, it gets better tonight.
South Africa's inconvenient truth
Check this out for a real laugher!
10 WAYS TO BATTLE CLIMATE CHANGE
8. Create eco-kids
Teach kids about their carbon footprint and encourage responsible behaviour from early on.
Who gives a rat's rear end about polar bears?
He forgot the part about holding hands and singing Kumbayah.
I wish the author would do so.
"Very well said. May I begin by pointing out a house that sits up on the western hills above Redwood Road that keeps its 40 someodd lights on all night. How irresponsible is this.
I remember a year ago waking up at 3am to breastfeed my daughter only to look out my window and see the owner of this home still leaving the lights on, I'm sure they were not even home.
I bet they don't even live there, but the lights are on every night all night.
Why would one leave there lights on all night?
I know its private property, doesn't this home owner have a clue.
I would love to see the city pass a solar requirement on new construction- it pays for itself in no time.
Why are people afraid of change, change for the better, change for the future.
Shop locally( I know its hard sometimes)try to work locally at least once a week, change your light bubls etc.. Make a difference"
What a busybody!
Polar Bears are increasing in population, not decreasing. What a load of bull.
It's hard to take any of this article seriously, even presuming the genuine concern of the writer, when it is based on so much bad, no, really bad, information.
Where was this writer when the polar bear thing was debunked? When the "man is NOT responsible for global warming" stuff all came out?
Really sad, when this is all you have remaining as intellectual bright lights on the left.
"Do we sit and watch, or do we do something about this?"
Can I change that a little? How about I "sit and watch" and laugh at the EnviroWackos while sipping a glass of wine? ;)
When you get the Chinese to act in accord with your ideals, maybe I'll listen.
'Till then, get a life.
If you think that's funny, check the link out in #5. Cover your keyboard!
Zoykes. You mean the plight of the planet isn't the sole responsibility of North Americans? Africaners (sp?) don't RECYCLE? Who knew. ;)
Busybody for starters. More like a stalker.
He is probably as crazy as a Fox Moonbat in the Henhouse .
When he and his ilk get through, a small 2 bedroom starter home in Napa will cost well over a million $'s. As a so called green contractor, he will be in a position capitalize on the new agreements.
He and his wife apparently own a winery, a horsie thing and are involved in organic farming. Organic farmers will become the Green approved food growers. They will not have to compete against the big farms. They will be able charge $5-10 for an ear of corn or about 40 to $50 per green veggie meal when you add a $50 bottle of so so but organic wine to the menu, we might be able to eat one or two meals a week.
As you know they have devasted the Salmon and Rockfish industry. Last summer if we could find ocean Salmon at our local market it sold between $13 to $22/pound for King Salmon. That is cheap compared to the local free range/organic beef raised and sold by descendents of the Gamble family.
Below is a search list of this greenie's actions in N California:
http://search.yahoo.com/bin/search?fr=ybr_sbc&p=BOB%20MASSARO%20+%20Napa
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