Published on September 19th, 2008
You know those “safe-haven” laws that let parents drop off their unwanted kids in a safe place without fear of consequences? (In Nebraska, it’s even legal to give up an unruly 18-year-old!) Well, Florida’s doing the same thing for unwanted pythons, cougars and other non-permitted exotic pets.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) this week adopted a new rule that lets state and county animal control agencies take in non-native animals whose owners can’t — or don’t want to — take care of them anymore. No questions asked. No penalties.
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Published on August 26th, 2008
We’re seeing a lot more sustainability-minded colleges, universities and even high schools encouraging their students to walk or bike, rather than drive, to classes. But two institutions of higher learning, one in the north, one in the south, are taking things even further by banning on-campus cars for all incoming freshmen.
For the first time ever, the University of Miami is prohibiting cars for freshmen starting this fall. Instead, new students, returning students and faculty alike will be able to travel around campus and the city using fuel-efficient cars available through a university partnership with Zipcar. The car-sharing program offers users hourly, daily or annual access to cars when needed, gas and insurance costs included.
The Zipcar option will also be offered at Maine’s Bowdoin College, where first-year students will be barred from having on-campus cars starting next fall (2009).
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Published on August 19th, 2008
Outdoor advertising might not sound very green — after all, who wouldn’t rather see a row of flowers along the sidewalk than a row of billboards? — but most realists have to accept that ad-driven media aren’t going away anytime soon. So if you have to stare at an electronic fashion ad or fragrance promo while waiting for the bus, wouldn’t you at least like to know the hype doesn’t come with carbon emissions?
That’s the plus that Fuel Outdoor Holdings LLC is bringing to Miami. Through its subsidiary, Fuel Miami LLC, the New York-based OOH media (that’s “out-of-home” advertising) company is installing 600 solar-powered bus shelters throughout the city. Under the 20-year arrangement, Miami gets the shelters for free and Fuel gets a place to display its customers’ ads, no electrical outlets required.
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Published on June 26th, 2008
The Sunshine State is finally beginning to try and live up to its reputation, as it starts moving rapidly toward increased use of solar energy.
The latest advance came with this week’s announcement by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) that the utility plans to add 110 megawatts of new solar energy capacity in the state.
“Pending regulatory approval, FPL will build 110 megawatts of solar power right here in the Sunshine State, making Florida No. 2 in the nation for solar energy,” said Lewis Hay III, chairman and CEO of FPL Group. Hay made the announcement during the state’s second Serve to Preserve summit on climate change.
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Published on June 25th, 2008
Florida’s got its share of environmental challenges — overdevelopment, water shortages, threatened coral reefs — and it’s definitely one of the top states likely to be hurt by climate change. On the other hand, those very challenges have spurred some good news recently on several fronts.
First, if you missed it, comes the news that the state and U.S. Sugar Corporation have struck a deal to eventually cease sugar-cane production on 187,000 acres of land (nearly 300 square miles) in south Florida. Under the plan, expected to be finalized by September, the state will pay the sugar company $1.75 billion for the land, which lies in the heart of Everglades territory. The transfer would take place in six years, during which U.S. Sugar will continue to grow on the land.
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Published on April 21st, 2008
L
ooking for Earth Day activities in Florida? Following are some of the events scheduled in communities across the state:
In Pensacola, the University of West Florida (UWF) will host a day of environmental symposia at the University Commons Auditorium. Among the topics speakers will tackle: “The Gulf Coast Main Ecosystem Partnership: A Story in Large Landscape Management,” “Small-Scale Wind Turbines: A Joint UWF/University of Florida Study” and “Climate Change: Facts, Fantasies and Solutions.” Following Mike Papantonio’s keynote address on “The New Art of Fighting Back,” attendees will be able to view a screening of the film, “Sacred Planet.” All the programs are free and open to the public.
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You know those “safe-haven” laws that let parents drop off their unwanted kids in a safe place without fear of consequences? (In Nebraska, it’s even legal to give up an unruly 18-year-old!) Well, Florida’s doing the same thing for unwanted pythons, cougars and other non-permitted exotic pets.
