Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Wednesday that eliminates climate change as a priority in state policymaking, as well as most references to it in state law. Florida is known as one of the most climate-vulnerable states in the country due to its susceptibility to sea level rise, hurricanes and flooding. The new legislation, […]
We’ve made a mess, and now it’s time to fix it. These are the unspoken mandates of Everglades conservation organizations working to restore healthy freshwater flow through the Sunshine State. Water is life for planet and people. Therefore, when its flow is interrupted or cut off, there are dire consequences. History of Water Flow In […]
“Mojo,” a 500+ pound leatherback sea turtle, stranded on Miami’s South Beach just before the new year. He’s estimated to be 30 to 35 years old. According to NOAA, leatherback sea turtles are the largest turtles in the world. They’re the only species lacking scales and a hard shell and have existed in their current […]
Sea-level rise due to climate change is becoming an increasing concern for island nations and low-lying areas, such as Miami-Dade County, Florida. The primary focus of research on sea-level rise has been the direct effects of flooding, but a new study also considers socioeconomic vulnerabilities. The study found that, in the coming decades, four out […]
Hurricane Idalia made landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida at 7:45 a.m. today after strengthening into a Category 3 storm in the Gulf of Mexico. Idalia began as a tropical storm that passed to the west of Cuba, cutting off power and causing major flooding and evacuations. Florida’s coastal residents were anticipating a […]
In July, a historic marine heat wave descended upon the Florida Keys. Unprecedented coral bleaching ensued within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), which boasts the largest coral barrier reef within the continental United States. With high temperatures predicted to persist until October, scientists worry about potential harm to the entire ecosystem. View this […]
Earlier this week, south Florida saw sea surface temperatures equivalent to a normal hot tub. At Manatee Bay, inside Everglades National Park, a water temperature buoy about five feet underwater showed a temperature of 101.19 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday afternoon, with other buoys in the vicinity reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit, reported AFP and Reuters. Manatee […]
Temperatures in the waters off the coast of southern Florida and the Florida Keys this month have been as high as 97 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Data Buoy Center. In the summer, waters in the Keys are normally reminiscent of bath water, but temperatures that high can threaten coral reefs. And it’s still […]
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law Tuesday that targets the growth of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing in the state. The anti-ESG legislation prevents state officials from investing public money in the promotion of ESG goals, prioritizes financial returns for state funds and pensions, eliminates ESG considerations in state contracts and […]