Letters to the Editor: Whitman's backward views on jobs, climate
Source: Napa Valley Register: Opinion
Dear editor, in your Oct. 31 article (“Whitman in Napa: ‘Put jobs first’”), gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman inexplicably argues that backtracking on our state’s efforts to address climate change will somehow stimulate our region’s economy and bring new jobs to wine country. Her remarks reveal Whitman has no understanding of the wine industry’s impact on our state’s economy, nor of the inextricable relationship between wine industry jobs, profits and climate.
On the issue of climate change, we wine growers often think of ourselves as the proverbial “canary in the coal mine.” As temperatures have climbed over the last 30 years, we have already seen a significant change in the style of our wines.
On the issue of climate change, we wine growers often think of ourselves as the proverbial “canary in the coal mine.” As temperatures have climbed over the last 30 years, we have already seen a significant change in the style of our wines.
Make no mistake: the mild temperatures that support California’s wine-growing regions are critical economic assets. The California wine industry has an annual impact of nearly $60 billion on the state’s economy. As a wine grape grower who supports 100 of the more than 330,000 jobs my industry creates in our state, I know that because our climate is at risk, our economy and jobs are also at risk.
Scientists predict that rising temperatures due to climate change will cause the regions suitable for farming premium wine grapes in the U.S. to shrink by up to 81 percent by the end of the century. If these warming trends continue at the current rate, our state’s overall economy will suffer even greater losses than we are now experiencing.
Scientists predict that rising temperatures due to climate change will cause the regions suitable for farming premium wine grapes in the U.S. to shrink by up to 81 percent by the end of the century. If these warming trends continue at the current rate, our state’s overall economy will suffer even greater losses than we are now experiencing.
Over the years, California has surmounted many economic obstacles and we can overcome this one, too. If Whitman is really committed to supporting jobs, she should stop playing politics and pledge to address climate change immediately, if elected.
Paul Dolan, Mendocino Wine Co. / Ukiah
Paul Dolan, Mendocino Wine Co. / Ukiah