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Ongoing |
Willits Economic Localization and the City of Willits (hint, hint, Napa) are holding a conference for people in Northern California interested in "localization", that is, re-focusing their community on itself, its needs, and its capabilities. Localization includes supporting local businesses, producing goods and energy locally, local farming and re-establishing ties with members of one's community. The conference is expected to include representatives from communities around the area who are already taking measures to make their communities more sustainable.
The conference will be held May 18-20 at Brooktrails Lodge in Willits. For more information, download the registration packet (pdf file)...
The Gasser Foundation, Napa County's largest charitable foundation, has launched its "Sustainable Napa Valley Initiative" to promote:
- reduced emission of greenhouse gases
- energy efficiency in building construction and business operations
- use of renewable energy resources
- use of recycled products in construction and operation of homes, businesses and schools
- water use efficiency and water quality
- health indoor environments
The foundation intends to achieve this mission by:
- committing its financial and intellectual capital
- serving as a leader in the creation of cost effective, innovative sustainable strategies
- increasing public awareness of environmental issues
For more information, contact the Gasser Foundation at 707.255.1646
11:00 - 12:00 - Passin' Through - Country Western Band
12:00 - 12:15 - Environmental Skit by Mindful Garbage
12:15 - 12:45 - Napa Valley Language Academy Ballet Folklorico
12:45 - 1:30 - Anibla Parrado plays Andean Flute Music
1:30 - 2:10 - Magical Moonshine Theater - Puppet Show Extraordinaire
2:15 - 2:55 - Phillip's Edison Charter School's Orff Ensemble, Girls Choir and School Band
3:00 - 4:00 - One World Percussion - Rousing Drum Band
- Build a bird box with Napa Solano Audubon.
- Work with clay under the guidance of the Arts Council of Napa Valley.
- Help Mindful Garbage use recycled materials to create the colorful and amazing 40 foot square maze and then wind your way through it.
- See Napa Valley College's solar field, the seventh largest solar project in the United States.
- Popo the clown - face painting.
In a March 4 editorial ("In Napa, Back To Basics"), the Napa Valley Register stated that global warming should be left up to state and federal governments, and the city should focus on potholes, garbage pickup and helping developers. Apparently the Register does not consider a healthy and safe environment to be one of the basics, and fails to comprehend that global warming can be addressed at the local level.
Action from city and county governments can prod Sacramento and Washington into action. More importantly, one of the major ways to fight global warming is by using less fossil fuel energy, a measure that could save the cities and county of Napa—and, yes, even the Register—a great deal of money...
If you see the organization "Citizens for a Sustainable Napa" mentioned in the future, chances are their efforts once again have nothing to do with sustainability. This loose coalition of Napa development interests appeared the first time when they formed to stop Napa Sentinel publisher Harry Martin from being elected mayor in the March 2005 election. They reappeared during the November 2006 campaign to oppose Martin's run for re-election to city council...
St. Helena's Climate Protection Task Force promoted the need for efforts concerning global warming in a letter to the editor - We can all help reverse global climate change - published this week in newspapers throughout the valley...
The public currently has (although extensions have been requested) until April 17 to comment on the draft of the new Napa County General Plan Update.
Public Meetings will be held and oral comments received at:
Wed 3/21 9am County Admin Bldg Room 301
Wed 3/28 1pm Napa County Office of Edu, 2121 Imola
Wed 4/4 6pm Yountville Community Hall
Documents are available for viewing at the County Planning Dept and County libraries, as well as online.
Here's the only statement in the plan on climate change, taken from the Conservation Element (PDF)
"Because Napa County is primarily rural, the amount of greenhouse gases generated
is small compared to the other counties in the Bay Area, and miniscule in statewide
or global terms. However, like all other areas worldwide that contribute to global
warming, Napa County will be affected by climate change and shares a responsibility
to address this issue. These efforts will focus on reductions in the two major
sources of greenhouse gases in the county: the use of energy derived from the
burning of fossil fuels, and the use of fossil fuels in motor vehicles."
The stated relevant goal is:
"Goal CON-14: Promote the economic and
environmental health of Napa County
by conserving energy, increasing the
efficiency of energy use, and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions."
There is no mention of sea level rise in the draft plan update.
In the Economic Development Element, there is no mention of the value of locally-owned businesses.
In the 92-page Agricultural Preservation and Land Use Element, the word "food" appears only six times. Five of those times it has to do with food served at wineries. The only food crop mentioned in the last 100 years is prunes...
Wondering what steps you can take to help combat global warming? Read "The Ten Most Important Things You Can Do". Then, if you want more, buy a copy of "Sustainable Living: For Home, Neighborhood and Community"...
Led by Chef Peter Pahk, Silverado Resort's two major restaurants—The Royal Oak and The Grill at Silverado—are committed to serving local, artisanal and sustainable cuisine. Chef Pahk actively supports local groups such as Slow Food Napa, Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group, Acorn Soupe, and BALLE Napa Valley. Silverado even uses plastic and paper products made from corn and sugar cane that can break down to compost...
Congratulations to the City of St. Helena for its creation of a Climate Protection Task Force. St. Helena is leading the way. Now if only the other cities and the county will follow...
Westsong Publishing has announced the publication of "Sustainable Living: For Home, Neighborhood and Community", a guide to helping families and communities live more sustainably.
The suggestions in "Sustainable Living" will help people save money and fight global warming by using less energy in their everyday living. They'll discover tips on low-cost heating, cooling, and lighting in their home. They'll get ideas on how to survive with little or no use of a car, how to improve their health, eat better yet still save on food bills, and supplement or replace their current income. And they'll learn ways to help, and benefit from, their neighbors and their community.
The book is written by Mick Winter, host of the popular Peak Oil websites DryDipstick.com and BeyondPeak.com (and host of the Napa Valley website NapaNow).
List price is $12.00 (ISBN 9780965900058). The book is now available through bookstores, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Borders.com and at www.SustainableLivingBook.com. Retailers may order through Ingram and Baker & Taylor...
The Register's Kevin Courtney wrote an informative group of articles on global warming, its possible effects in the Napa Valley, and local preparations to deal with them. Warming: The Impact in Napa, Local Lawmakers Prepare for Environmental Change, and Wines and Warming...
The Contra Costa Times is running an excellent series on the effects of global warming on California. In particular, we recommend their article on the wine industry and other agricultural crops. It's not very optimistic; particularly if you're in the wine business in the Napa Valley. And you really won't like the graphic entitled "Heading Up to Raisin Country?"...
The ice sheet in Greenland is melting at an accelerating pace. Scientists state that if the entire ice mass in that country melted, it would raise sea levels worldwide 6-7 meters. Want to see what such a sea level rise would do to downtown Napa? Take a look. You can adjust the amount of rise yourself in the top left corner to see the varying results. Keep in mind that if the Arctic ice sheet goes, that could add another 60 meters. Here's another one that you can play around with...
 Just Published! Buy it here! |
 Peak Oil Prep Prepare for Peak Oil, Climate Change and Economic Collapse 246-page paperback |
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Champagne reception and breakfast, color photo. Book now. |
 The Napa Valley Book - The Insider's Guide for Residents and Visitors. Buy Now! |
