EPA honors Graton group for climate protection

The federal Environmental Protection Agency is hailing Sonoma County as the first in the country to unite all its local governments behind climate protection -- a feat the EPA credits to the Graton-based Climate Protection Campaign.

The nonprofit group that's fighting global warming won one of 17 Climate Protection awards the EPA gave this week, joining corporations and individuals -- from Mitsubishi Motors and Staples to Robert Redford -- whose environmental leadership the agency honored.

"We're on the national radar screen now," the campaign's technical director, Dave Erickson, said Wednesday by phone from Washington, D.C. "We're showing that the work being done locally is not only unprecedented, but it's absolutely essential in terms of moving the country forward in climate change."

The EPA does not give a monetary prize, but since 1998 has recognized 139 individuals and groups from 16 countries who have worked to curb climate change.

Founded in 2001, the Climate Protection Campaign was recognized in a ceremony Tuesday in the nation's capital for additional accomplishments:

For helping the county's local governments inventory greenhouse gas emissions -- from vehicle fleets, swimming pools, water-treatment and other public operations -- so each would have a baseline for reduction goals.

For persuading all nine mayors to endorse the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement, led by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, as well as California's landmark global warming law, AB32, mandating emission reductions.

For working with businesses and schools, including North Bay Construction and Sonoma Wine Co., to adopt more eco-friendly energy practices.

Sonoma Wine Co. plans to double production from 1.5 million cases of wine per year to 3 million by 2009, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 700 pounds.

The Graton company's director of business development, Natasha Granoff, said the Climate Protection Campaign "encouraged us the whole way through. They're a dynamic group."

For recruiting teens at schools, including Analy High and Windsor High, to car pool, walk or ride the bus or bike to school to reduce pollution.

Rohnert Park 18-year-old Kaitlyn Kalua is one of the latest converts to the campaign's "Cool Schools" program, through which local merchants donate free movie rentals, pizza slices and other incentives to reward students who burn less fossil fuel.

At a school assembly today, the Analy senior will be among peers challenging one another to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from commuting by 30 percent this month.

"It's a global problem that's happening very quickly," said Kalua, explaining her new-found passion for climate protection. "It's not just something you can push off."

You can reach Staff Writer Katy Hillenmeyer at 521-5274 or katy.hillenmeyer@pressdemocrat.com.