18 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 2-8, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Fields of the Future County’s climate plan misses an opportunity to prioritize practical strategies for adaptation. By Chris Valadez FORUM The Monterey County Community Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CCAAP) began as a technical update to the County’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory—a reasonable step toward greater transparency. The public draft released in March evolved into a far more ambitious document with aggressive local reduction targets (28 percent by 2030 and 86 percent by 2045) and a framework that contemplates new rules, performance standards and a new county bureaucracy of 12.5 fulltime employees. Estimated cost for the County: $16.7 million per year. While the intent to address climate risks is understandable, the plan misses the mark by over-emphasizing local mitigation measures while under-emphasizing resilience (the ability of a community to anticipate, absorb and recover from climate change effects) and adaptation. These imbalances are exacerbated with the glaring omission of a private-sector economic analysis and the risks of imposing real costs on businesses and residents. Monterey County’s total annual emissions are less than 0.0023 percent of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Even if the County achieved 100-percent elimination, the resulting change in atmospheric concentrations or global temperatures would be undetectable. Climate change is a global challenge. A single county’s mitigation efforts, however well intentioned, are statistically insignificant without coordinated worldwide action. The plan never seriously grapples with this core reality. Instead, it relies heavily on uncertain and reversible agricultural soil carbon sequestration to meet its targets. Adding and accelerating cost pressures could threaten the viability of many family farms and operations potentially leading to reduced acreage, consolidation or conversion out of production. The ripple effects would extend to the county’s broader economy. Many climate impacts are now unavoidable and resilience-building must take precedence. Studies by the Public Policy Institute of California show that well-designed investments in water storage, conveyance and drought preparedness in California generate strong and continued economic value while also mitigating costs caused by damaging climate-influenced events. Monterey County is exceptionally well positioned to lead on resilience and adaptation. Its adjacency to the Pacific Ocean (with its cooling marine layer), extensive carbon sinks (66.4 million metric tons of carbon stock across forests, rangelands, croplands and wetlands) and productive working lands provide natural advantages that should be leveraged, not overlooked. We urge the County to reorient the CCAAP around resilience and adaptation. It could include targeted investments in water storage; expanded wildfire defense and fuel management; protection and enhancement of existing carbon sinks; and emergency preparedness. These steps are practical, locally impactful and align with the County’s affordability realities. Chris Valadez is president of the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California. OPINION Monterey County is well positioned to lead on resilience. Stillwater Yacht Club is excited to announce the return of our YOUTH SUMMER SAILING PROGRAM TO STILLWATER COVE FOR 2026 CAMPS INCLUDE: PLEASE SEND ANY QUESTIONS TO WATERSPORTS@SYCPB.ORG Morning Sessions • INTRO INTO SAILING (ages 8+) • LEARN TO SAIL (ages 10+) • CFJ DEVELOPMENT (ages 10+) Afternoon Sessions • YOUTH WATER SPORTS (ages 8+) Sailing, Kayaking & Stand-up Paddle Boarding • INTRODUCTORY TO HIGH SCHOOL SAILING (CFJ) (ages 12+) • TEAM RACING (ages 14+) • JUNIOR BIG BOAT (ages 14+) and find detailed information at www.sycpb.org/youth-summer-programs Combine morning and afternoon programs for a full day of sailing adventure! Quality feed & pet supplies • DIY dog & cat vaccines • Premium hay at great prices Low cost vaccination clinic for dogs & cats. Microchipping. Prescription flea/tick medication. Open every Saturday 12pm-3pm 101 W. LAUREL DR, SALINAS • (831)443-6161 Mon-Sat 9am-6pm Sun 10am-5pm $5 OFF Any purchase of $25 or more $20 OFF Any purchase of $100 or more FLOCK SEASON IS HERE! $10 OFF Any purchase of $50 or more CHICKS, DUCKLINGS, AND BABY TURKEYS FOR SALE NOW! CHICKS: PULLETS CORNISH DUCKS: MALE FEMALE TURKEYS: BRONZE WHITE EXPIRES 4-8-26. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER DISCOUNTS OR OFFERS. LIMIT 1 COUPON PER CUSTOMER. NOT VALID ON HAY, SHAVINGS, SERESTO, MAX BULLY, SPORTSTRAIL, OR LIVE ANIMALS. MUST PRESENT ENTIRE PHYSICAL COUPON AT TIME OF PURCHASE. COUPON MUST COME DIRECTLY FROM THE MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY. REPRINTS OR PHOTOCOPIES NOT VALID. $7.00 $4.50 $13.00 $20.00 $22.00 $18.00 PRICES BEGINNER POULTRY KIT – $32.99 4-30-26
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