Save Trestles

I believe that one of the many reasons that people do not speak out for what they believe in, is because they feel they won't be heard. In a culture, where corporations control our individualism as well as our governments, many people think that they can't and won't make a difference.

This is not true when it comes to an organization called Save Trestles.

The Transportation Corridor Agency has proposed to build a 16 mile long extension off the 241 toll road to route traffic around San Clemente. This project is expected to cost over 1 billion dollars and will connect with the 5 freeway at Trestles.

Trestles has been known as one of California's best waves. It is the only beach in the continental U.S. that hosts a pro tour surf event. The area around the beach, San Mateo, is also a protected land that separates San Diego County from blending into the suburban giant, Orange County.

The rapid growth of industrialization and population near coastal areas in the last decades has had a dramatic effect on the environment leading to a climate change (read global warming). Southern California is just one of many places that have had their beaches change because of changing weather and population.

Mexico is another country that is experiencing over development and changing coastal landscapes.

Many places in Baja California are looking into constructing marinas to boost American tourism. One of these places is San Miguel, a famous beach and campground north of Ensenada. According to Save the Waves Coalition, "Marina San Miguel", as it will be called, is a $370 million dollar project that will construct a 5 star resort and extend the Ensenada harbor 185 acres north, devouring San Miguel beach.

Another famous beach that is facing its end in Mexico is Salsipuedos. Known for its heavy barrel when it is breaking, Salipuedos, which loosely translates to "leave if you can", is closing its campgrounds to visitors because of a development project that create residency for about 2,600 people.

"Global warming is threatening Mexico's beaches, one of the nation's most beautiful natural resources," according to a blog on Los Angeles Times' website that "hurricanes and rising sea levels are eating away hundreds of miles of beaches in five Mexican states."

Mexico is not the only country losing their sand to heavier hurricanes and changing coast lines. Florida is another state that has experienced much of the same as well. Because of increased hurricane activity, communities are now walling their beaches to save water-front property. These walls create a problem because sand cannot flow back onto the beaches when the hurricanes are over.

The Outer Banks is a prime example of what happens when a coastal region is blocked by a wall. In the book "Drowning the North Carolina Coast" (North Carolina Sea Grant, 2003), notes that after 70 years of being pinned down by an artificial sand dune and roads connecting the islands, "large segments of the Outer Banks are already collapsing."

"Coastal habitats and wildlife are under pressure from human activities such as development and pollution. Now, sea-level rise and other climate changes due to global warming will create even greater challenges for our coasts," states the National Wildlife Foundation. "We are facing an ecological crisis that could see wholesale loss of wildlife populations and profound changes in our outdoor way of life. We must address the greatly accelerating impacts of global warming before it's too late and work together to protect and conserve the coasts"

Because of organizations like Save Trestles, we are able to come together as a community to save our beaches.