Changing climate?
Did you know that California Attorney General Jerry Brown has sued San Bernardino County because their Environmental Impact Report failed to analyze how future growth authorized by their proposed General Plan complies with California's new climate change law?
Were you aware the State's Regional Water Quality Board Control board has drafted a proposed permit for all Ventura County cities (and the County and its watershed agency) that would trigger costs as much as ten times higher to control pollution in our local rivers, creeks and beaches?
Did you hear that the same board may require the total phase-out of our City's discharging treated wastewater into the Santa Clara River estuary -- and that the Federal Government has stepped in taking the opposite view that ending that practice might hurt an endangered tide water fish because the water we pump in is actually cleaner than the water already flowing in the river?
Chances are you haven't heard any of these things.
Most Californians consider themselves as "pro-environment," happy to do their part by recycling their trash and not dumping motor oil in the stormdrains. True, some think "global warming" is hysterical propaganda and there are others who think that unless we all ride bikes and wear locally-grown organic cotton clothes the world faces imminent catastrophe. But most of us fall in between. We want government to ensure the polar ice caps don't melt and we don't breathe foul air or drink carcinogenic water -- but we aren't expecting to pay for big tax increases or make radical changes in our lifestyles.
Unfortunately, we are moving past the "feel good" stage. I remember my mother saying, "Your father likes having a clean house, just not enough to do anything about it." We are facing a similar challenge in California. Voters want a clean environment -- and now we are being asked to actually do something about it -- and these involve some tough (and expensive) choices. State government is tackling some complex and controversial issues -- and the impact falls squarely on local communities.
In Ventura, we are working to be pro-active. We are looking to find the right balance. Our General Plan is squarely founded on a commitment to protecting the environment -- and promoting a prosperous economy and social equity. Instead of waiting for State government to tell us what to do, we are striving to do the right thing -- in ways that don't trigger a huge backlash or break the bank.
Not easy. But to be successful, everyone in the community needs to be a part. Check out our "Green Ventura" web pages -- and stay informed:
Were you aware the State's Regional Water Quality Board Control board has drafted a proposed permit for all Ventura County cities (and the County and its watershed agency) that would trigger costs as much as ten times higher to control pollution in our local rivers, creeks and beaches?
Did you hear that the same board may require the total phase-out of our City's discharging treated wastewater into the Santa Clara River estuary -- and that the Federal Government has stepped in taking the opposite view that ending that practice might hurt an endangered tide water fish because the water we pump in is actually cleaner than the water already flowing in the river?
Chances are you haven't heard any of these things.
Most Californians consider themselves as "pro-environment," happy to do their part by recycling their trash and not dumping motor oil in the stormdrains. True, some think "global warming" is hysterical propaganda and there are others who think that unless we all ride bikes and wear locally-grown organic cotton clothes the world faces imminent catastrophe. But most of us fall in between. We want government to ensure the polar ice caps don't melt and we don't breathe foul air or drink carcinogenic water -- but we aren't expecting to pay for big tax increases or make radical changes in our lifestyles.
Unfortunately, we are moving past the "feel good" stage. I remember my mother saying, "Your father likes having a clean house, just not enough to do anything about it." We are facing a similar challenge in California. Voters want a clean environment -- and now we are being asked to actually do something about it -- and these involve some tough (and expensive) choices. State government is tackling some complex and controversial issues -- and the impact falls squarely on local communities.
In Ventura, we are working to be pro-active. We are looking to find the right balance. Our General Plan is squarely founded on a commitment to protecting the environment -- and promoting a prosperous economy and social equity. Instead of waiting for State government to tell us what to do, we are striving to do the right thing -- in ways that don't trigger a huge backlash or break the bank.
Not easy. But to be successful, everyone in the community needs to be a part. Check out our "Green Ventura" web pages -- and stay informed:
We all share one planet. We also share this special place called Ventura. We can't take it for granted. Your health, your job, your taxes will all be affected by the important decisions we all make as individuals -- and a community.
posted by Rick Cole at
4:46 PM
4 Comments:
In your opinion, what is the best way to get people to actually put their "money where there mouth is" when it comes to environmental concerns?
Its almost as if our cultural philosophy (Drive here, drive there, leave a light on, leave the water running) has to change before CHANGE can really take place. We have such a "instant gratification" consumer mindset, that it is hard for us to realize that natural resources are not infinite for us, and even less for the next generation, at the rate we consume. Many with kids may think about the quality of life for their children, but even that's a far cry from the Iroquois Native Americans whose philosophy was to consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.
In your opinion, what is the best way to get people to actually put their "money where there mouth is" when it comes to environmental concerns?
Its almost as if our cultural philosophy (Drive here, drive there, leave a light on, leave the water running) has to change before CHANGE can really take place. We have such a "instant gratification" consumer mindset, that it is hard for us to realize that natural resources are not infinite for us, and even less for the next generation, at the rate we consume. Many with kids may think about the quality of life for their children, but even that's a far cry from the Iroquois Native Americans whose philosophy was to consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.
First of all you make the massive mistake that the people want the "Government" to correct the environmental mistakes that they were instrumental in creating. As we all know anytime the "Government" gets involved in anything it will invaribly cost twice as much as private industry, and of course will take twice as long. As I see it the problem can only be corrected by the people that are living on this planet, if they choose to ignore the dire need for change then they can start counting the number of days they have left.
Rellis Smith
res@venturastuff.com
Jerry Brown's goffiness re-emerges as a primary reason the state budget has not been approved - he wants global warming addressed legally, at great additional cost to taxpayers, and the legislative holdouts are saying "no".
PS - Trying to "strike a balance" is simply an excuse for "muddling through".
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