To pair with the rest of our educational content in each Earth to Florida newsletter, we bring you monthly updates on statewide environmental news. Read on below to see what we found over the past month:

10 Florida Stories to Watch

• Hurricane Milton caused massive damage to beaches and communities in Florida, some notable impacts are included below:   
  • Along with record rainfall and storm surge, Milton caused an astounding number of tornadoes across the state—thirty-eight. This was due to the specific cloud cover and temperature conditions present at the time Milton’s outer bands entered Florida.
  • Communities were still reeling from the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene when Milton caused massive tanks at wastewater plants in Tampa and St. Petersburg to fail and release sewage into neighborhoods and nearby bodies of water.
  • In Miami, residents waded through the streets after a king tide reached its peak at two feet above high tide.
  • Homeowners are also battling insurance companies as back-to-back hurricanes have caused significant financial loss and damage. Stringent policies on flood, rain, and wind protections have been dragging out claims for months, while some policy holders are being denied compensation outright.
  • The storm also caused up to $2.5 billion in agricultural damage, which is three times more than previous big storms that hit Florida’s Big Bend area combined. The Florida citrus industry was only just beginning to recover from the effects of Hurricane Ian two years ago. To help speed up the process of rebuilding, Sen. Rick Scott has asked the federal government to make block grants available to Florida farmers.
  •  According to meteorologists, the destruction caused by Milton was exacerbated by human-caused climate change, and they warn that we will see more hurricanes of this caliber with our warming climate.

• Organizations across South Florida are at the helm of efforts to create awareness about a silent killer—excessive heat exposure. With record high temperatures in Florida, outdoor workers and the unhoused are struggling the most. As of July, there are no local, state, or federal standards for heat exposure in Florida workplaces, and the state is leading the nation in the number of heat-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits. Groups dedicated to climate change education and heat-illness awareness are accepting donations to provide underserved and vulnerable groups in South Florida with access to water, heat protection supplies, and legal support in the battle for comprehensive heat-exposure regulations.   

• In a push for more recreational opportunities, Okaloosa County has purchased 229 acres of land, only a few weeks after purchasing 297 acres also intended for recreation. This area will be used for ecotourism including walking, equestrian trails, paddling, and other passive recreational activities. The county wants to highlight the beauty of northern Okaloosa and was able to afford the purchase thanks to funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.  

• A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine about the progress of Florida Everglades restoration states that while things have been chugging along at a good pace, there is still a lot more that could be done. Their evaluation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, a federal and state program that leads 68 projects in the restoration of the Everglades, recommends working with local Indigenous communities to understand the region’s historical ecology and suggests considering the expected climate change impacts in the restoration plans.  

• In a survey of 16,000 participants aged 16-25, 85% reported being worried about the future of the planet due to the threat of climate change. Climate anxiety is now a common topic among younger generations, who fear a future with increased natural disasters, air pollution, heat waves, and more. Survey respondents agreed that environmental legislation needs to be changed to combat the current situation regardless of their political affiliation. Respondents also expressed that climate change factors into their decisions regarding where to live and whether to have children.  

• In 1973, Florida manatees were classified as an endangered species and a designated habitat was established to protect them. Despite this, manatee populations have not improved significantly. The main threats that manatees face are harmful algal blooms, boat collisions, habitat loss, water pollution, and coastal development. Several environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the US Fish and Wildlife Service to expand this habitat designation by almost one million acres. This expansion will help to further protect manatees from human impact. Unfortunately, these federal habitat designations do not apply to private landowners, and individuals who own nearby properties can still impact the manatees with improper boating, pollution, runoff, and more. As temperatures become cooler, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds boaters to pay attention to regulatory signage and be mindful of manatees on the move to warmer waters.   

• Red tide has returned to South Florida, likely exacerbated by the recent hurricanes, Milton and Helene. Red tide can lead to environmental impacts including fish kills, as well as human health concerns. You can learn more about red tide here. You can check the red tide conditions in your area by visiting this page from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).   

• Researchers from Florida International University (FIU) have found evidence that PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” can be found in Miami’s rainwater. PFAS are chemicals that don’t easily break down in the environment and are found in many products that the average consumer uses every day. The research team, led by FIU Assistant Professor of Chemistry Natalia Soares Quinete, has also detected PFAS in drinking water and surface water. They hope to use this research to create solutions that will help to regulate, control, and reduce these chemicals in the future.  

• The US Department of Agriculture provided a grant to install 100 biodigesters in Tampa residents’ backyards. With the addition of manure, water, and food scraps, the biodigester breaks down the compost into fertilizer or gas for cooking. Residents with these systems are excited about repurposing their biological waste for a better cause.  

• Researchers from the University of Florida have developed a new strategy that will help make reporting invasive species more accurate. The strategy was first tested in Palm Beach County to gather reports about invasive reptiles such as Nile monitors. By delivering specific messages to targeted audiences, researchers were able to leverage community support to reach thousands of Palm Beach County residents and confirm 55 sightings of Nile monitors and Argentine black and white tegus.