Water activist opposes Nestlé’s plan to bottle 1 million gallons a day from Florida springs

Nestlé wants to take more than one million gallons of water a day from Florida springs near Ginnie Springs and the Santa Fe River; the giant multinational corporation plans to put the water into plastic bottles and sell it at a tremendous markup. But environmentalists oppose the move. WMNF interviewed Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson, a board member… Read more »

Florida clean water activists say: it’s not a fracking ban if matrix acidizing is allowed

The Florida Legislature is considering bills to outlaw certain types of fracking in Florida; but advocates for clean water warn that the ban excludes one oil and gas extraction technique that could harm the environment because of Florida’s limestone geology. Jorge Aguilar, the southern region director with Food and Water Watch, wants the method called… Read more »

“Rally to Protect Florida’s Water” in Bradenton

On Tuesday Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a budget recommendation that includes $625 million to protect water resources and restore the Everglades. But there’s no guarantee the state Legislature will pass a budget that reflects an emphasis on the environment. This Saturday the group Food & Water Watch will hold a “Rally to Protect Florida’s Water”… Read more »

anti-fracking sign

Ron DeSantis directs Florida DEP to oppose fracking and off-shore drilling

Florida’s new governor, Ron DeSantis, announced several changes to water policy today. In an executive order, DeSantis made moves to ban hydraulic fracturing (fracking), dedicate money to Everglades restoration, fight algae blooms, appoint a Chief Science Officer and create an Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency. For reaction, WMNF News spoke with Michelle Allen, senior… Read more »

From the Beaches to the Springs How Do We Protect Florida’s Waters?

From the beaches to the springs to the pristine underground aquifer to the Everglades and the rivers— Florida’s waters are like nowhere else on earth. Two of Florida’s most knowledgeable people about the state of our water join us in a moment to talk about Florida’s water resources. And later—Florida’s economy has mostly recovered from… Read more »

Mosaic phosphate

Environmentalist wary of Mosaic moving corporate headquarters to Hillsborough

The giant fertilizer company Mosaic announced last week that it plans to move its corporate headquarters from Minnesota to Hillsborough County; the announcement by the Fortune 500 company was greeted by many local leaders with delight. But environmentalists, like Suncoast Waterkeeper Andy Mele, accuse Mosaic of being a detriment to the community. “I think Mosaic’s… Read more »

Bob Buckhorn

Remodeled Riverfront Park is backdrop for Bob Buckhorn’s State of the City address

Tampa unveiled its newly-remodeled Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park Friday morning for Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s State of the City address. Buckhorn praised the $35 million renovation and the city staff who worked on it. Before his speech, the City showed a polished video with the theme “Finish Strong” that looked back at a tough year… Read more »

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on oil drilling off Florida

Zinke: “no new oil and gas platforms off the coast of Florida”

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said again Thursday that there will be no new oil and gas platforms off the state of Florida; his position on drilling off the coasts of Florida has been confusing this year. He was challenged Thursday in a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing by Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen regarding draft regulations… Read more »

smokestack emissions

A young person suing Florida Governor Rick Scott on climate change inaction: on WMNF’s MidPoint Monday

On MidPoint Monday we heard from one of the young people suing Florida Governor Rick Scott and others in the state government over their inaction on climate change. We had two guests: 18-year-old college freshman and climate activist Delaney Reynolds and Tampa-area attorney Guy Burns, a Managing Partner at Johnson Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns, LLP. Reynolds is… Read more »

plastics ban

St. Pete businesses unveil voluntary plastics-reduction program; environmentalists want more

This Thursday, the St. Petersburg City Council will begin to discuss how to reduce the amount of single-use plastics in the city; and Tuesday morning a coalition of restaurant owners and civic groups unveiled a new campaign for businesses to voluntarily reduce the use of plastic straws. But for some environmentalists, that doesn’t go far… Read more »