My 5: Chris Donatiello, C. Donatiello Winery

BPGL: What are the five most important things we can do to save the planet?

Chris Donatiello, C. Donatiello Winery

DONATIELLO: There are a few things I really think need to happen, in this country especially, but also throughout the world.

Reduce dependency on fossil fuels. We’re harming the environment. We’re taking something out of the earth — not putting it back in, then burning it and hurting the atmosphere. It’s a one-two punch.

Put a greater emphasis on recycling. Even here in Sonoma County, where we’re very “green,” there are still a lot of things that don’t get recycled — that we don’t have the ability to recycle.

Make it convenient for everyone to be green, whether it be making things easier to recycle, putting better markings on things that can be recycled, or providing more options for recycling. If it’s difficult, too many people won’t participate.

We need more options in the foods or cars we buy and where we get our energy. There aren’t enough grocery stores with local, organic choices. Let people decide it they want to pay an extra couple of bucks; but the option needs to be there. The large grocery chains need to take on the responsibility of saying, “This is important. Not just to make money, but because it’s the right thing to do.”

Alternative fuels need to be more affordable and more efficient. We looked at solar; it’s incredibly expensive and the payback is 8 years. That’s a long time to break even. Alternative fuels — whether they’re solar, hybrid vehicles, alternative fuel vehicles, power from wind turbines, or solar energy — are all still in their infancy. They’ll be more efficient and affordable when they’re in greater production. This may require help from the government in the form of tax incentives. They shouldn’t bail out car makers who are not making energy-efficient cars.

Chris Donatiello

Healdsburg, California, USA