Hands Along the Water
South Florida’s Water Crisis Dilemma by Linda Sechrist
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Cypress Cove Conservancy at Arsenault Gallery
human and animal waste from nearby farms and neighborhoods are contributors to the growing crisis,” says Yoca Arditi-Rocha, coexecutive director and senior climate advisor for CLEO Institute. “Toxic algae thrive in stagnant, warm water rich in nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen. Water quality scientists believe that Hurricane Irma may have stirred them up at the bottom of the Everglades drainage system. This is likely another exacerbating contributor to massive Cyanobacteria and Karenia brevis.”
he picture-perfect postcard images of the Sunshine State overlaid with the phrase “Wish you were here” are being overshadowed by negative newspaper headlines depictCLEO’s Florida Climate Pledge ing photos of dead sea life washed ashore and aerial views of the CLEO, along with their coalition of partners launched the Florida 130-mile long toxic Karenia brevis red tide necklace that floats Climate Pledge (FloridaClimatePledge.org), a campaign for Floridoffshore from Sarasota to Marco Island, as well as the green sludge ians to connect the dots between the use of fossil fuels, climate cyanobacteria blanket over Lake Okeechobee and the canals in change and concerns regarding the economy, health, biodiversity North Fort Myers and Cape Coral. The water crisis, which has loss and national security. captured considerable national attention, has left thousands of Floridians and environmental organizaPrivate Citizens Act tions aghast, dismayed, frustrated and angry, Climate March Fred Moon’s involvement with Pachamama emboldening them to find solutions. as well as September 8 @ 2 p.m. Alliance of Southwest Florida (PASWFL) reliable resources for education regarding the As part of a Global Day of (Connect.pachamama.org) and its Drawdown food sources of the bacteria now devastating Initiative, along with his own research, led him Action, the Southwest Florida our precious ecosystem. to discover CLEO. “Their demanding of cliPeople’s Climate March will mate policies from elected leaders impressed Floridians and Environmental be led locally by Anthony me. I could easily see their work dovetailing Organizations Team Up for Truth Amedure, of Rise for Climate. with that of PASWFL, the Southwest Florida For clarification of science that benefits the It’ll be one of thousands Drawdown Initiative, because while they environment, the Pachamama Alliance of of rallies taking place highlight the urgency of climate action, they Southwest Florida (PASWFL) teamed up with worldwide to demand local also champion solutions for a resilient future,” The CLEO Institute (CLEOInstitute.org), a says the Fort Myers resident, a newbie to the leaders commit to building a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization exclusively grassroots movement. dedicated to climate change education, engagefossil-free world and totally A board member and philanthropist ment and advocacy. To shape its training and renewable energy that works helping to support the Southwest Florida policy advocacy efforts, CLEO synthesizes the for all of us. Community Foundation (SWFLCF) current scientific data from reputable organiza(FloridaCommunity.com), Moon explains that Centennial Park, 2000 W tions such as NASA, NOAA and Intergovernhe and his PASWFL colleague Ensign Cowmental Panel on Climate Change scientists. First St, downtown Ft Myers. ell are teaming up to help fund the Florida “Increasing temperatures and higher Info: ActionNetwork.org or Climate Pledge billboard initiative that will amounts of rainfall from extreme weather RiseForClimate.org. See inform drivers about connecting the dots beevents that are due to climate change, as well as news brief, page 10. tween climate change and our water crisis. fertilizer-rich storm water runoff polluted with 22
Collier/Lee Counties
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