Like many residents of Santa Barbara County, and particularly the 1st District, I consider myself to be an environmentalist. My family has been solar since the 1980s, I collect and store rainwater, and I own a hybrid vehicle. I believe environmental organizations like the Sierra Club can play a constructive role in encouraging robust civic engagement on issues ranging from transitioning to cleaner energy to preserving wildlife habitat and our beloved National Parks. Unfortunately, I believe the Sierra Club has done itself and voters a disservice with its bombastic and overly enthusiastic endorsement of a slate of Democratic candidates in the upcoming June 7th primaries.
Although referring to oil companies as criminals, and suggesting that they are trying to “take over our county government,” may make for good copy and energize certain single-issue voters, it reflects the type of divisive rhetoric that many centrist and independent voters have tired of. It also ignores the fact that single-issue voting on environmental issues can be counter-productive.
Today, the county has no money to devote to additional environmental protection because it has a limited tax base and other spending priorities. Is Das Williams, a veteran Sacramento politician, going to change this dynamic? We should be skeptical. Over the past several years, the state has racked up debt and unfunded liabilities at an alarming rate, leaving the state unable to find the paltry $750,000 to $1 million required to fix the perpetually leaking Becker Well at Summerland Beach, which is fouling a beautiful beach and undermining Summerland’s tourist economy. The lesson for the Sierra Club and single-issue environmental voters is this: When sound fiscal management is ignored, the environment suffers.