General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRhetorical question on wilderness vs. development.
So I'm driving to the beach yesterday through one of our scenic canyons here on the coast of California. I hadn't been down this one in several years. Now this canyon, other than some ugly oil derricks was pretty pristine otherwise in native vegetation and wildlife. I was dismayed to see that a large portion of the land had been cleared and a new vineyards for wine planted. When I first moved here, there were no vineyards, then the wineries started coming in. Just how much wine is needed in the world? Granted vineyards are an attractive replacement, but they way they are done is not ecological and I believe it stresses and marginalize the wildlife even more than it is already.
My question is, although I know it's a fool's errand to try to stop development, just what should the ratio be between development, whether agricultural or structure and land left as wildlife preserves for the original residents of these lands of other species? I say we shouldn't develop more than 30% and leave the rest alone and definitely, we should create wildlife preserves around the waterways, like rivers, creeks and lakes. Are there any studies out there or anyone in the field who has studied this to give me a shove in the right direction to learning more about this?
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Not only will it preserve areas that are pristine now, but it would actually allow millions of acres of 'developed' areas to go wild again. And I truly believe it can be done right now. I can envision buildings like these every few blocks in cities making them self-sustaining without the need to import any food. It would create jobs too.
edited to add more photos
Cleita
(75,480 posts)JNelson6563
(28,151 posts)HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)has grown to such an extent that there are now degrees in "winery management" and such offered by universities.
My friend's kid got one. He's going to be managing tax-write-off wineries for the 1%.
One of the wonderful ways those folks continue to create jobs for you & me. Yay for the 1%!
Cleita
(75,480 posts)pursue their little hobby.
Cleita
(75,480 posts)muriel_volestrangler
(101,320 posts)Cleita
(75,480 posts)RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)"Sand County Almanac"
It is an oldie but a goodie.
Our problem is that we really have no respect for the land and its diversity. Maybe because it is given to us is why most folks devalue it so willfully?
Cleita
(75,480 posts)muriel_volestrangler
(101,320 posts)http://rhetoric.byu.edu/figures/r/rhetorical%20questions.htm
Cleita
(75,480 posts)Egalitarian Thug
(12,448 posts)pay the true costs of their development are sufficient.
Of course, that eats into the profits of the plunderers, and they are campaign contributers, so it doesn't often happen. You live in Cali, look into the history of your Representative, especially their family finances.
Cleita
(75,480 posts)Taitertots
(7,745 posts)There should be more wilderness than development, but exponential population growth makes it an impossible dream.
raouldukelives
(5,178 posts)But sadly most of them wind up being a huge loss for the local ecosystem. I live near a few wineries that are run by bored rich people who think it's just fine to cover the fields in pesticide and then drain it off into the creek they use to irrigate the fields. We used to have a lot of deer around but since the 1% moved in they kill all the does & fawns that come around because they eat the precious grapes.
They aren't supposed to but they do take large amounts of water from local creeks & rivers to protect the grapes from frost when it's cold. I've heard of two getting caught and the fine they wound up paying was less than it would have cost them to pay for the water. Lovely.
This place has gone to hell since it became "booze alley".
Cleita
(75,480 posts)eat the grapes.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)I love those canyon roads and use them frequently. Like you, I love that you can go through long expanses of undeveloped area.
Fortunately much of what I regularly drive through is protected.