Page 32 - Sonoma County Gazette 11-19

If you . . . get very quiet, you’ll come to understand that you’re connected with everything. – Alan Watts
Healdsburg City Council Passes
Climate Emergency Resolution (CER) On Oct 7, 2019 Healdsburg joined Petaluma, Windsor,
The electricity went out here in most of Cloverdale as it did elsewhere in the County. I (Reece) stood in my living room and then walked outside and listened to the quiet around me. I had forgotten what quiet sounded like or maybe it is doesn’t sound like. Peaceful! Even given the reason it was all happening, peace settled in. You could hear the community breathing quietly and surely.
Cloverdale and the County, along with 21 other California cities and 1,143 other local governments in 19 countries by recognizing that our changing climate is indeed an emergency; and declaring that government can play an important role in developing policy while empowering and incentivizing the business community, non-profits, and all residents to take action.
People slowly ventured out to get that last minute item that they had forgotten or to check on a neighbor or friend. How are you doing? Are you okay? Do you have everything you need? Touching base reassuring your friends and neighbors someone was here, while at the same time reassuring yourself you were not alone.
The resolution reads in part, “City Council of the City of Healdsburg declares that a climate emergency threatens humanity and the natural and built environments” and that “Healdsburg joins a nationwide call for a
just transition away from fossil fuels and an urgent collaborative climate mobilization effort focused on enacting policies that dramatically reduce heat-trapping emissions, and rapidly catalyzing a mobilization at all levels of government to restore a safe climate...”
The quiet creates a solitude. On one hand this solitude connects you with the world at large. On the other hand you can come to feel alone and disconnected, especially, by our standards of busyness and digital connection.
We had all been preparing for a couple of days—getting ice, gas in our cars, batteries, flashlights, propane, and canned food that would replace any lost food. One friend said that she would never be without cans of chili again.
In 2014, the U.S. organization, Climate Mobilization, began advocating for emergency climate action. They also helped shape the Green New Deal, and the Climate Emergency Declaration, currently in the U.S. House and Senate. Their website has a wealth of great background information. For example, discover how America compares with other countries: in Britain 80% of the population is covered by declared CER’s; 100% in Canada, 74% in New Zealand, 6.8% in the US.
But there are those things that you forgot. This was the case for Carol and Reece. Early on Reece realized she needed to get a medication. She called the pharmacy to place the order. No answer! She had to go find more ice. Grabbing the bottle, she left the house. Getting out into the town, she realized that the portion of town where the pharmacy was located was really shut down. As she passed the pharmacy she looked over. To her surprise employees were standing in the open door of a dark building. She stopped and asked what was happening. They were there so people could get the meds they needed despite no electricity. Reece got her meds in the dark. The pharmacy was there!
But wait, in 2005 Sonoma County lead the nation, with all 9 governments passing resolutions calling for steep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs)! Yet 15 years later Sonoma County has fallen far
short of those ambitious goals; the changes in the biosphere have increased exponentially and the predictions for a livable future grown more dire. We love our children who are marching in the streets demanding adults take their futures seriously, so why do we fail to mobilize with drastic actions?
A few hours later, Carol was on her way to Ace for batteries when Roz, her wife who was in need of medications, shouts out, “They are open!” There stood Fred, the owner of Cloverdale Pharmacy, in the dark doorway. Carol was helped with smiles and assurances. Carol scored both batteries and meds!
During public comment on the night of the CER, the first speaker pointed to the gap between what the world science community is saying and what is emotionally or politically feasible.
Thank you Cloverdale Pharmacy!
Traveling around town, we each saw businesses in the dark open for the community. With limited hours, Ace Hardware opened to sell flashlights and batteries; Patriot Gas to help with the obvious; and Ray’s, Grocery Outlet, and the Dollar Store providing those cans of food and ice. All were working for cash because their drawers and credit card machines were down. These were just a few of the darkened buildings reaching out into the community with support and caring. Thanks to businesses we did not mention as well!
Why is change not emotionally and politically feasible?
The next speaker called tourism our untouchable sacred cow. When Healdsburg approved another hotel development in the North Entry Area Plan it triggered a lawsuit for failing to account for carbon emissions generated by foreign and domestic hotel travelers. Will the Council correct this omission
in future environmental reports; will they address limiting the growth of tourism in the strategic plan? Other tourist-related climate impacts currently not measured: low wage hospitality workers who can’t afford Healdsburg’s rents are forced to commute; 24-hour hotel operations; additional impacts from a sizable Sonoma County airport expansion.
But the world goes on and Cloverdale has a few things happening. . . Holiday Craft Fairs! Come find the gifts you need for the holiday or just
because. Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds and the Vets Hall; November 2nd; 9am-4pm.; free. cloverdalecitrusfair.org/
The Latino Health Fair—November 3rd 1-4pm at Cloverdale Family Apartments, 100 Healdsburg Ave. A long standing event and one of Reece’s introductions to the Cloverdale Community.
A third speaker suggested the city measure all future decisions against a climate impact check list. He said adopting a Reach Code would be a statement of the council’s seriousness.
Chicken & Polenta Dinner with raffles, yummy baked goods, etc. Knights of Columbus St Peter’s Catholic Church November 16th; 5-7:30pm; $20/$10.
At the October 21 meeting, the Council took an important step when they discussed the energy Reach Code, a 2020 ordinance for new construction aimed at reducing GHG sources from the energy use of buildings. Electricity generates approximately 15% less pollution than gas fuel. Council members favored the compromise option presented to them by the City’s utility conservation analyst, Felecia Smith, requiring new construction be built with electrical space and water heating but allowing natural gas for cooking and fireplaces. The Council then directed staff to study how to build more momentum for “all electric” in new construction via in lieu fees, or other enticements.
If you missed the craft fair earlier this month, search out those goodies you need for the holidays at the Senior Center Holiday Craft Fair. Local artists and craftsmen offer their creations for your perusal and purchase. November 16th; 10am-3pm; 311 North Main.
Cloverdale Chamber’s Business After Hours Mixer. Neena Hanchett, Chamber Director, told us, “As a local chamber of commerce, we recognize and support our businesses as they are “the heart of our community.” They proved it last week! Ranch House B&B, 374 Hot Springs Road; November 21st; 5:30- 7pm. More Info: savannah@cloverdalechamber.com
So, we’ve declared climate is an emergency, now what?
Murder at the Masquerade Show and Dinner—Come dressed to kill and maybe end up a suspect or sleuth. Citrus Fairgrounds; November 22nd; 6-10pm; $35 per ticket. More info: savannah.hemphill@gmail.com
Nina Simmons, co-founder of Bioneers, (connecting people with solutions and each other, since 1990) offers this advice, “All of the innovative environmental solutions and strategic social models alone won’t be enough to alter our collective course. What’s ultimately required is a change of heart, a shift in how we relate to each other, and to the whole of the living earth.”
Happy Holidays!
32 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 11/19
By Merrilyn Joyce
What’s behind the challenge to restructure our activities?