By now it is well known that we must transition to renewable energy as quickly as possible in order to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The terms of that transition and the opportunity to make energy cleaner, fairer, and more democratic are now central to so much of Healthy Gulf’s work, including here in Florida.
If I had to describe the recently-completed session of the Florida Legislature, I would sum it up as preemption and more preemption, steps forward on climate adaptation and the Feds rescue Florida. Oh—and more kicking the can down the road on the issue of stopping climate change. Let’s take a look. Preemption legislation is that …
There’s a fierce battle taking place in Florida, and the battlefield is the 2021 session of the Florida Legislature. On one side are the citizens of Florida, a majority of whom want action on climate change and access to more solar energy for the Sunshine State. On the other side are fossil fuel companies and …
The battle over energy: An update from the FL Legislature Read More »
Elections create change, and change creates opportunities. And so it is with Election 2020, as the prospects of action on climate change and an end to the dirty and dangerous business of offshore drilling seem much closer. After many years in which Healthy Gulf and a broad coalition have fought against the continued expansion of …
Offshore drilling, renewable energy and election 2020 Read More »
Our society is the early stages of one of the greatest transitions in human history, as we move away from fossil fuels to a future of renewable energy. In that transition lies an epic battle over the terms and pace of that transition. It’s a battle that will determine who gets to access clean energy,how …
Clean energy and energy democracy for the Gulf coast Read More »
Summer is always hot in Florida, and this one promises to be a scorcher. That’s because the future of the Florida Gulf coast hangs in the balance as oil companies push to drill near our shores. Meanwhile, a presidential election year brings candidates courting votes from a vital swing state—one solidly against offshore drilling. Florida …
The continuing saga of oil and gas drilling off Florida Read More »
This year marks ten years since the 2010 BP oil disaster. As part of a memorial to those who lost their lives and the massive environmental,economic and social damages, Healthy Gulf is sharing a collection of stories and remembrances around key dates. On June 4, 2010, oil first began to wash ashore in Florida, and …
From BP tragedy to solar opportunity: A conversation with Dr. Calvin Avant Read More »
As I sit on the front porch of my little bungalow in Pensacola,FL, we are nearly two months into the pandemic shutdown. Looking out upon the vegetable garden, petunias and nasturtiums are in full bloom, and tomato plants are the darkest of green as they reach toward the sky. All is well in the garden, …
This was the year. The one in which the Florida legislature was going to get serious about fixing the state’s toxic algae crisis. Actually, I said that last year, when Florida’s elected officials convened on the heels of a devastating 15 months of blue green algae and red tide fouling waterways on both the Gulf …
Disappointments and small wins: the 2020 FL Legislature Read More »
The holidays are upon us, and I’m asking the Florida Legislature to give a gift to our state’s waterways and environment. It’s a gift of finally taking action to solve the problems of toxic algae, bacterial contamination, loss of forests and open space, and myriad other maladies that threaten the very essence of life in …