[Greenbuilding] Global Warming and California

[Heather Merenda]

For the green building topic, I would agree with you that it is far
better to eat locally and in season, and make your landscaping edible,
or at least serve additional function to how pretty it is.  I know that
the local farmers markets in California are strictly regulated to allow
only the mom and pops and organically grown.  Protecting our farming is
important in California.  Our County has a law that won't allow
construction on anything currently zoned open space or agriculture
without a 2/3 approval from the community.  The sustainability
retailers, like Whole Foods, who are more corporate in their operations
at least mark what's local and educate their consumers on this.  That
still doesn't stop the northern state consumers who have shorter growing
seasons from eating California produce and other produce grown in areas
with longer growing seasons.  However, it happens here too.  I live in
the citrus belt of So Cal.  I can look through my house window and see
lemon, orange and avocado groves everywhere.  When I go to the only
grocery store in town (Safeway affiliate), much of the citrus is from
Florida, Argentina, Chile, etc., out of season.  I won't buy it, but I'm
an informed consumer.  I guess it punctuates the importance of green
building.  Locally sourced materials is as important as energy and water
conservation, and are in fact completely linked like an ecosystem.  The
global warming that would impact agricutlure only makes it harder for
smaller farmers.  It would also make it harder for backyard gardeners.
So, local is way better, global warming will impact ability to keep
local, but can also help provide support to green building over the long
term.  

Thanks
Heather