Redford Sees Eco-Village as Indecent Proposal
He’s one of Hollywood’s original environmentalists and was named an “environmental superhero” by Time magazine. But Robert Redford’s latest stance against the development of a new eco village in northern California’s Napa Valley is making his green credentials appear suspect.
Redford has joined the Save Rural Angwin, an action group hoping to block the development of an eco village consisting of 275 low-energy houses and a retirement home on 63 acres near Redford’s secluded wine-country estate. They are arguing that the development will destroy several fields and increase traffic in the area.
That might be true, but given the fact that thousands of new houses will be built in California in the next decade, a development that promises to do it sustainably – complete with solar power, electric car-sharing and recycled water – seems like the wrong kind of development to oppose.
Redford has been promoting renewable energy and eco-friendly design long before Al Gore and Leonardo DiCaprio became green superstars, so one has to wonder if this is a classic case of NIMBY.
In a statement, Redford said, “”I believe that the citizens of Napa Valley care about preserving our beautiful agricultural and rural heritage. That is why I am happy to join Save Rural Angwin in its efforts to preserve this naturally carved land-basin from development.”
And yet Redford seemed perfectly happy to transform the natural landscape in Utah when he bought and developed 6,000 acres of mountainside and turned it into the Sundance ski resort. Do as I say, not as I do?
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2 Comments
May 18th, 2009 at 10:08 am
It’s a tough issue. It’s true that eco housing is needed in Napa, where water shortages will become even more severe in coming years. Any new development there must consider the huge water crisis (i.e. the Carneros Inn located in the heart of the farmland and vineyards). But it seems Redford is guilty of the “I have mine and don’t want you to have yours” mentality which we saw for years in Malibu among homeowners fighting development.
May 18th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Having formerly lived in Malibu for several years that comment makes me smile. Real estate development is DRAMA in the Bu.
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