The following editorial was published in The Daily Sun on Nov 27, 2023. OUR POSITION: No matter your politics, it’s difficult to deny our weather patterns are changing and it’s not a temporary problem. Floridians don’t really need scientists and research reports to tell us our weather is changing — and getting warmer. Seemingly endless summer
The following editorial was published in the Miami Herald. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis brags about how many people are pouring into Florida. But all that growth isn’t necessarily a good thing. That’s the conclusion of a report by a major global re-insurance company that draws links between the state’s soaring home insurance costs and the
The following Letter to the Editor was published in The Daily Sun on Aug 21, 2023. As the citizens of Hawaii tragically die in unprecedented wildfires and we on the mainland face record-breaking heat with ocean temperatures above 100 F, the DeSantis administration is now peddling climate lies to our kids. The conservative Prager University
The following letter to the editor was published in The Daily Sun on July 27, 2023. As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis focuses on his struggling presidential campaign, he ignores real issues faced by Floridians due to climate change. The governor may not be persuaded by climate science, but actions by insurance companies may get his
The following editorial was published in The Daily Sun on May 13, 2023. OUR POSITION: Water quality is such an important issue that numerous entities must work together to ensure Southwest Floridians can feel secure their water is clean, safe and in abundant supply. A recent editorial board meeting with members of the Peace+Myakka Waterkeepers reminded
The following letter to the editor was published in The Daily Sun on March 21, 2023. Communities across Florida have a huge stake in clean water. But if two bills filed and introduced in the state Legislature early this month become law, they will abolish local governments’ ability to fight pollution, inevitably leading to dirtier
Communities across Florida have a huge stake in clean water. But if two bills filed and introduced in the state legislature early this month become law, they will abolish local governments’ ability to fight pollution, inevitably leading to dirtier water. House Bill 1197 and Senate Bill 1240 would grant sole authority to the state to
The Story of Florida’s Right to Clean Water In 1950, there were 2.8 million people in Florida. In 2022, there are 22 million. With this explosion of new residents comes an array of certain human impacts — the clear-cutting of water filters and nutrient cyclers; the diversion and hastening of water flows; the removal or
One element of the Lemon Bay Conservancy mission statement is “Advocating for sustainable environmental policies.” As the recent hurricane has so clearly reminded us, we live in a beautiful, but very fragile, area. Controlling the amount of new development is essential for protecting our wetlands, our life styles, and our area’s future. There is an
By Bea Dixon, PhD, Democratic Political Activist, January 25, 2023. While the issue of gas stoves may not be anywhere near the most important one facing America, how the Republicans vs. Democrats approached the issue is instructive about the current state of our politics. Here are examples of how various Republicans approached the matter: In
An editorial by the TAMPA BAY TIMES First the good news: Florida was the fastest-growing state in the nation last year, new figures show. That growth breathes new life into the economy and makes Florida more attractive and competitive on the global stage. But the state is lagging behind in key investments — in housing, health
By NANCY J. SEMON, STAFF WRITER, The Daily Sun, Jan 26, 2023. PORT CHARLOTTE — Charlotte County commissioners were about to postpone voting on a resolution supporting DeSoto County’s denial of Mosaic’s mining efforts pending further information. The board had expressed interest in meeting in a workshop session with the phosphate giant about its intentions to
The following editorial was published in The Daily Sun on Jan 17, 2023. OUR POSITION: Florida has a lot at stake in dealing with climate change. There were 18 catastrophic weather events and natural disasters in the U.S. where damages exceeded $1 billion, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Those weather and climate
By SETH BORENSTEIN and CATHY BUSSEWITZ, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Jan 13, 2022 DENVER — Exxon Mobil’s scientists were remarkably accurate in their predictions about global warming, even as the company made public statements that contradicted its own scientists’ conclusions, a new study says. The study in the journal Science Thursday looked at research that Exxon
The following editorial was published in The Daily Sun on Jan 2, 2023. OUR POSITION: Florida needs to take a hard look at what can be done to minimize destruction from the next Hurricane Ian. Floridians have much to consider after witnessing the destruction wrought by Hurricane Ian. There will be debate about climate change, building
The following Letter to the Editor was published in The Daily Sun on Nov 27, 2022. On Oct. 9th I read Michael Reagan’s view on “the greenhouse effect” and on Nov. 15th I read Dick Nelson’s. Both believe it’s a political ploy by the “Democrat” party. They should ask themselves the following questions: If it
By Clifford Krauss, reporting from Houston, The New York Times, Oct. 28, 2022. The good times are back for the oil companies, but with the global economy on edge, there is more caution than celebration among executives. On Friday, Exxon Mobil and Chevron, the largest U.S. oil companies, reported a fourth consecutive quarter of robust profits.
By Jesse Mendoza, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Nov 1, 2022. The red tide pushed toward the Southwest Florida coast by Hurricane Ian and recent cold fronts continues to bloom just offshore. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed Friday that red tide reached bloom levels last week in an area that stretches offshore from south Sarasota County, past
The following Letter to the Editor was published in The Daily Sun on Oct 27, 2022. Republican leaders in Florida sure hate “big government” …until they need help. Thank goodness that “big government” will pay most of the cost of emergency aid to our state helping to recover from the overwhelming devastation caused by Hurricane
Editor’s comment: Charlotte County issued appropriate evacuation orders, thank God! Lee County did not. But all SWFL counties must now truly consider SUSTAINABLE, APPROPRIATE development in the rush to rebuild. Read the warning below! By Craig Pittman, The Florida Phoenix, Oct 13, 2022. Jesus had some good advice for Florida developers: Don’t build a house
By Frank DiFiore, The Daily Sun, Oct 11, 2022 PORT CHARLOTTE — Gov. Ron DeSantis and his election opponent, former Gov. Charlie Crist both made appearances Monday in Charlotte County. DeSantis visited a Disaster Recover Center on South McCall Road in Englewood, just outside a Home Depot store. The site was set up by FEMA to