The first animal to be featured on a Florida Native Animal Spotlight Series is an obvious choice: Florida’s own state animal, The Florida Panther! The Florida Panther is a subspecies of the mountain lion. They are a large, tan cat with a unique crooked tail and a patch of fur like a cowlick on their back to distinguish them from other subspecies. It is actually believed that these special traits are due to recessive genes
What is New York Climate Week? Organized by the Climate Group, an international non-profit, Climate Week NYC 2022 hosts the largest global climate event for the fourteenth year. This week serves to bring together leaders and communities to discuss climate action and explore new possibilities. The overall message this year is Getting It Done, and throughout the week over 500 events were held pertaining to their ten themes: 1. Built Environment 2. Energy 3. Environmental
What is waste burning? Waste burning is the process of burning waste like paper, plastic, metals, cardboard, and food waste.1 Waste burning is categorized as two types: open waste burning and waste incineration. The Government of Canada refers to open waste burning as “burning garbage in barrels, open pits, outdoor furnaces, woodstoves, or fireplaces.”2 According to the Conservation Law Foundation, waste incineration is a technological waste treatment that “involves burning commercial, residential, and hazardous
What is desalination? Desalination is the process of how the dissolved mineral salts in water are removed to create clean, drinkable water. Desalination works by imitating the water cycle. It evaporates sea water “in large facilities with roofs where it is condensed and collected as fresh water.”2 Desalination can also be used on surface water sources, groundwater sources, and wastewater to increase water supply. Silas Baisch-Unsplash The global water crisis The world is in crisis. A
“The protection of water resources is one of the most pressing issues facing our state. That’s why today I’m taking immediate action to combat the threats which have devastated our local economies and threatened the health of our communities.” – Ron DeSantis, 46th Governor of Florida, on new legislation concerning Florida’s Regional Water Supply Plans (RWSPs) 4 What are Florida’s Regional Water Supply Plans (RWSPs)? Florida’s water resources hang in the balance of natural supply and
The characters in Carl Hiaasen’s books aren’t real, but the issues they face are. If you are not familiar with his work, Carl Hiaasen is a Miami reporter turned author. Covering Floridian news inspired and informed his work.1 His novels are primarily set in Florida. If you are from the state, you might feel right at home within the pages of a Carl Hiaasen book. Regardless, you will enter a vivid yet relatable tale. He
