Page 31 - Sonoma County Gazette Oct. 2019

On October 9, 2017, my life changed forever.
October has become an emotionally-filled month for many people. It’s hard to believe that it’s been two years since the Tubbs Fires, and that so many lives have changed forever. So many of our neighbors, coworkers and loved ones lost their homes. Although Windsor was spared from the disastrous fires directly, we all know that we were spared by the fact that the winds shifted.
Our home in Santa Rosa was consumed by the Tubbs Fire. When our insurance company arranged for us to stay at the Dry Creek Inn, I became a temporary resident of Healdsburg.
As a climate refugee with an uncertain future, I was heartened by the generosity of Healdsburg residents. Chefs at local restaurants served us meals. At the Corazon Free Store, the support from the community was amazing. After a few days at the hotel, complete strangers took us in, sharing their townhouse on Grove Street for six weeks until we found a more permanent place to live in town. The shock and grief I felt was tempered by the fact that we were now housed in such a remarkable, caring community.
Windsor embraced many people who were displaced and “forced” to move here. I run into people at the Sunday market who tell me they are living here while their homes are being rebuilt and they love it here. They always seem to say that if it were not for the fires, they would not have known what a great town we have here. Most of all they say they feel at home here in Windsor.
This past spring, we made a decision to purchase a replacement home in Healdsburg. As I walk around town, I am grateful for my new community but I am concerned about its future. I hope that the Healdsburg City Council will address the threat of climate change by passing a Climate Emergency Resolution and developing a strong plan for its implementation. The cities of Petaluma, Windsor, and Cloverdale have already adopted these resolutions and the County Board of Supervisors passed one on September 17.
Awareness and improved technology. One of the important lessons that was learned from this tragic event is awareness and improved technology. When the fires happened, I was out of town. I have no idea how people were notified about the fires other than people like Jeff Okrepkie, going door to door knocking and waking people up. Most of us did not have Nixle set up on our phones and there were no advanced warning systems in place.
Across Sonoma County, an online petition has been launched to encourage elected officials to declare a Climate Emergency. If you would like to add your name to the petition, please do so at change.org. Search for “Support Equitable Climate Emergency Action in Sonoma County” and join almost 2500 signatories as of September 22. According to the Climate Mobilization Project, 221 million people across the world are now represented by more than 1000 local governments that have declared a Climate Emergency. Over 7000 colleges and universities have also joined the struggle.
Now all this has changed. If gusty winds and dry conditions, combined
with a heightened fire risk, are forecasted to threaten a portion of the electrical system, it may be necessary for us to turn off electricity for safety. This is called a “Public Safety Power Shutoff” (“PSPS”). The power could be turned off for 3-5 days. And they are serious about this. It’s not a matter of “if, but when” this happens. So, we all need to be prepared. There is a ton of resources available to prepare us. A great page to go to is https://prepareforpowerdown.com/
You can also write the members of the City Council or better yet, attend the October 7 meeting and let them know why you think this is urgent.
The Town of Windsor and the Department of Emergency Management
of Sonoma County is teaming up with the Windsor Chamber of Commerce to work as a united front for local businesses, Windsor residents and tourists. Recently they had a interactive workshop with Windsor business owners to hammer out an action plan for certain businesses to be able to stay open while the power outage is going on. This is their primary concern. They (okay really, I am the Windsor Chamber person) are meeting with local nonprofits, and
a large town meeting will be scheduled soon. We will get through this, and we will work together to remain safe. But it is necessary for everyone to be proactive and prepared before it happens.
Consider the following facts: July 2019 set records for the highest temperatures ever recorded across the world. Heat waves have become much more frequent. 2018 was the 42nd consecutive year with temperatures above the 20th century average. Globally, the three hottest years in recorded history were 2016-2018.
On October 8th, the Windsor Vineyard Academy and Rotary
Millions of people and thousands of communities across have been severely impacted by climate change just like Santa Rosa was in 2017. Wildfires are only one example but they are everywhere—as far north as Alaska and above the Arctic Circle. The fire season in the American West is now 105 days longer than it was in 1970.
are having a joint fundraiser that includes either a barbecued tri-tip roast or a tri-tip dinner for 4, with all the sides. It’s a great idea (and I have already pre- ordered mine). Here’s the cool thing... you order it and drive thru and pick it up to take home. https://windsorrotary.ejoinme.org/tri-tip-tuesday
There are other consequences of these higher temperatures.
held through November 2. Everyone in the community is invited to decorate their own scarecrow. FREE. This year’s theme is “Just Imagine”. Visit www. windsorwe.org to download our application. Installation day is October 19th.
The permafrost and glaciers are melting at a rapid rate. On June 17, 2019, four billion tons of ice melted in Greenland IN ONE DAY. Ninety three percent of the extra heat in our atmosphere goes into our oceans and this can lead to the extinction of species and kill coral reefs. Warmer air holds more water vapor which causes stronger and more deadly hurricanes, tropical storms, and flooding. Sea levels rise. Atmospheric rivers become more frequent. Scientists now predict that extreme rainfall events are four times more likely to occur today than they did in 1980.
We are rich in culture; did you know Windsor is 33% Latino?
In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that we have twelve years to address this crisis or we will have crossed the point of no return. We must keep global warming to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) and we have already raised it by one degree Celsius. Another .5 degree rise will lead to catastrophic changes world-wide.
Ninth Annual Windsor El Dia de Los Muertos Celebration Set
for Friday Nov. 1 on the Windsor Town Green. The event runs from 5 to
8 p.m. and will include a lowrider car show, food vendors, Latin American and Japanese American drumming and dancing. The event is free, as well as alcohol-free. Dress and face painting in the spirit of the holiday is always encouraged. Giant puppets La Catrina and El Catrin will lead a procession around the Town Green honoring departed friends and family - Los Muertos! Bring an electric candle and join in the procession. The traditional Latin- American holiday is family-friendly and open to all.
Okay, are those enough events to do in Windsor to keep you
busy? Be well, have a great Fall season and as always, if you need to reach me with questions, email me at lorene@mac.com or drop by the Windsor Chamber of Commerce.
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That is why fighting climate change must be our top priority and it must be confronted with immediate action.
After the Healdsburg City Council passes a Climate Emergency Resolution, the hard work of implementation begins. It will succeed only if local citizens educate themselves and work together toward a just and equitable transition. We must incorporate new ways of thinking into our strategic planning and consider changes to the way decisions are made. Policies, projects and purchases should be viewed through the lens of climate Impact. Reaching zero net emissions within ten years is critical.
Future generations are depending on us.
Tyra Benoit, Retired SRJC Dean & History Instructor, Climate Reality Leader
October 19th is Windsor is the 15th annual Scarecrow Days
Windsor’s Dia de los Muertos is hosting a free children’s sugar skull-making workshop and screening of the Disney movie “Coco” on Saturday, Oct. 19. The event begins at 11 a.m. at the Windsor branch of the Sonoma County Library. Children ages 5-12 can attend. Materials are provided.