A roundup of news items related to climate change and other environmental issues in Florida:
Florida leads the nation for two kinds of pollution from gas-powered lawn and garden equipment | WUSF
Florida leads the nation in emissions of at least two pollutants from gas-powered lawn equipment, according to the federal government’s latest National Emissions Inventory.
In 2020, equipment like lawn mowers and leaf blowers emitted 2,116 tons of “fine particulates” in Florida — that amount is equivalent to the pollution left behind by 22,709,915 cars over the course of a year.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website said particulate matter “contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems.”
Florida Christmas trees might be a little ugly, but they’re better for the planet | Tampa Bay Times
Nestled between towering longleaf pines and live oaks, Tony Harris’ tree farm is home to another native species with a less imposing presence: The bushy, stout Florida sand pine.
Out in the wild, the unassuming tree can reach anywhere from 20 to 40 feet high, its limbs twisting and tangling as it grows. If left alone, its trunk curves like a bonsai. But if pruned twice annually and watered year-round, it can make the closest thing to a Christmas tree found in Florida, Harris says.
“It’s soft, but it’s beautiful,” he said, stroking the needles of one stocky six-footer. “It decorates nice.”
A battle over birds: Bills filed to make flamingo the official state bird of Florida | Tallahassee Democrat
The graceful, long-legged American flamingo will join the yearly battle over bills when the Florida Legislature next meets in January.
The pink-feathered creature entered the ring this week to join the Florida scrub jay in an effort to strip the northern mockingbird of the designation as official bird of the State of Florida.
State Sen. Alexis Calatayud, R-Miami (SB 918), along with state Reps. Jim Mooney, R-Islamorada, and Linda Chaney, R-St Pete Beach (HB 753), want to crown the flamingo as Florida’s avian ambassador to the world.
If you have any news items of note that you think we should include in our next roundup, please email The Invading Sea Editor Nathan Crabbe at ncrabbe@fau.edu. Sign up for The Invading Sea newsletter by visiting here.
