LOCALadk Magazine

Environment | LOCALadk warming is a reality, and that it is being driven by human fossil fuel consumption. This puts us in the hot-seat. We are being faced with not just a decision but with an opportunity to lead and shape the future. When our grandchildren look back at those who acted now, they will see who were the leaders, just as we look back to the founders of the Adirondack Park. Much like their generation, we need community leaders of today to have that light bulb moment. By "community leaders" we do not mean just our elected officials; many of us find ways to lead as business owners as well. Several small business owners inside the Blue Line have already had this light bulb moment. Throughout the Adirondacks there has been a re-birth of micro-farming, locally produced goods, and small-scale renewable energy projects. Business models are being created that take into account our carbon footprint and life on a planet with finite resources. They see that the decisions scientists and economists are telling us we must make will lead to enhanced business opportunities. One does not have to look far to find countless local businesses that are putting their environmental impact at the forefront of their business models. Much like a business budget, our environment also has certain limits. We can live within these limits by increasing the resiliency of our local economies, by buying local goods, by supporting locally grown food, and by pushing for renewable energy projects. How many of us buy online or drive to a larger city to buy our goods rather than support our local stores? This is something done by both business owners and visitors to the region. We need to focus on how we can spend money locally and support our neighbors and communities. By keeping our money local, we are sending a vote of good faith and support to our local business networks. As we need to buy local goods, we also need to support local food systems. This does more than just support our local economy; it allows us to maintain control over our local food supply chain. Recently there has been a resurgence of farmers' markets and other local food plans in the Adirondacks. Unfortunately, this has done little to stop the parade of large distribution trucks cutting through The Park. Large food production operations do not obtain their food from the farms inside or even closely surrounding the Blue Line. The result is a loss of the relationship between our communities and how we feed them. With little accountability or voice about how our food is grown or marketed, we lose awareness of the nutritional value, production model, and distribution route of our most needed necessity in life. Standing up for renewable energy makes a lot of sense for our communities. The return on investments for wind turbines, geothermal facilities, once realized in decades, can now be realized in a matter of years. The technology is available; it is affordable and offers the opportunity for us to regain control of our energy supply, while not putting our environment at additional risk. In any given year, the United States government subsidizes the fossil fuel industry with more than $25 billion from American tax payers. While they do this, electricity profits go up for these corporations, which are already turning the largest profits in economic history. This needs to end; instead there needs to be a redistribution of our funding that favors local sustainable energy sources. If it ends, we can take back control of how our energy is produced and the rates we pay, while keeping Adirondack tax dollars in Adirondack pockets. There are clear paths that we, as business owners and community leaders, can take. We have the chance to make our communities more resilient and prepared for the future ahead. Supporting our local economies, developing our local food systems, and supporting renewable energy in the region has the potential to support our economy while also planning for our future. Much like the visionaries who created the Park, we need to find solutions to our problems. Climate change does not have to be a challenge we run away from or, even worse, deny. Instead, community leaders need to stand up and take action for others to follow. Let's create a better tomorrow today; let's have our own light bulb moment. the NORRIDGEWOCK LODGE Discover our hidden, lakeside, oasis in the wilderness on Stillwater Reservoir The lodge Enjoy an adventure vacation all year round in Beaver River Winter on the lake Cabins, Restaurant, Tavern, Snowmobiling & XC Skiing (315) 376-6200 BeaverRiver.com For more information visit mylonglake.com LOCALadk Magazine Fall into Winter 2013 57

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