But Florida's environment faces serious risks. It's critical that all of our state's elected leaders are aware of these risks and ready to face them with decisive action. Time is of the essence. Moving decisively on these issues now is essential to avoid disaster.
Today, August 15, a coalition of environmental and public interest
organizations in Florida are releasing a report entitled "Trouble in
Paradise," available at http://troubleinparadiseflorida.org/. This
report outlines six major statewide issues threatening our state's environment
and our residents' quality of life. The report also identifies four of
Florida's many natural resource areas that are at risk and deserve special
attention from state leaders. It was spearheaded by the late Nathaniel
Pryor Reed, who founded 1000 Friends of Florida and continued to serve as its
Chairman Emeritus until his passing.
"Trouble in Paradise" doesn't just spotlight
environmental problems. It also lays out a path to solutions by naming six
essential policy goals. To achieve them, the next governor will need to appoint
committed, capable leaders to key state and regional agencies. Legislators will
need to provide the necessary legislation and funding, and local leaders will
need to tackle these issues in their communities and regions.
We hope all candidates for office will seriously consider its
diagnoses of our state's environmental problems and follow its prescription for
positive change. We also hope all voters will support candidates who will
play a leadership role in addressing Florida's growing environmental crises.
While the challenges facing Florida are many, now is the time to
chart a better, more sustainable course for our beloved state's
future.
Please take some time to read Trouble in Paradise, ask your
candidates for office about their positions on these critical environmental
issues, and vote accordingly. Florida's future depends on it.