Far away, but perhaps a warning of our own days to come, Phoenix, Arizona has set a rather ominous 2020 record: 144 days of 100+ degree days: the most ever recorded.
With 300 miles of coast line, Maui, Hawai'i is at high-risk for sea level rise. So, Maui County is suing 20 fossil fuel companies, seeking compensation to cover the costs of climate change.
Closer to home, if you are a follower of the ongoing M-CORES plans for building toll roads throughout Florida, such as one road through endangered Florida panther habitat, a recent EPA rollback could mean if the roads are constructed, they would made from toxic phosphate mining waste. Craig Pittman at the Florida Phoenix has more.
In the in-case-you-missed-it file, while yes, there is a moratorium on off-shore drilling, efforts to test for the presence of off-shore oil continues. However, there is a bit of bright news this week: Nearly 500 square miles of deep sea corals in the Gulf of Mexico are receiving long-asked for protections. Check out these maps of the protected areas.
If you’re headed to the polls Nov. 3, or filling out your ballot from home, check out our coverage of local environmental initiatives including Collier voters deciding whether to bring back a conservation land-buying program and Manatee voters deciding the fate of a referendum on a land and water conservation fund. There are also many people running for local mosquito control district boards.
Got an environment story or tip to share? Email Valerie Vande Panne at Vvandepanne @ wgcu.org.