I was just eight years old the first time I visited the Celery Fields in 2016. I was in love with birds and had learned the Celery Fields was one of the best birding spots in our area. As soon as we …
One of the major problems with environmental permitting agencies appears to be a lack of expertise & enthusiasm in some areas, caused in large part by the failure of the Florida Legislature to …
Healthcare is big business in the United States. So big it can be hard to wrap your head around. America’s largest healthcare company, the UnitedHealth Group, pulled in over $100 billion …
New York City recently became the first U.S. city to implement congestion pricing, a strategy aimed to reduce traffic in extreme congested areas by charging drivers a fee during peak hours. This …
There is no question that Manatee County has done a very poor job of managing its growth. Even with a new and much-improved board, implementing sustainable growth strategies will remain a challenge …
Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) when trapping heat in the atmosphere and is responsible for nearly half of the 1.1-degree Celsius increase in global …
The Environmental Protection Agency recently released a report warning that “forever chemicals” are present in sewage sludge used as fertilizer and can pose human health …
At Tuesday’s Manatee County Commission meeting, a throng of Cortesians and Islanders plan to turn out in support of a local bait shop/bar and grille that happens to be my favorite place to …
Ron DeSantis never passes up the chance to be spiteful, petty, and craven. He ordered the flags, which should still be flying at half-staff to honor President Jimmy Carter, be raised to …
Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. President, made a lasting impact on environmental policy. His robust initiatives to protect natural resources and advance clean energy established the foundation for …
This article endeavors to show how current Medicare and Social Security recipients are being duped by both political parties. It would be wise for the generations currently supporting these …
Despite its broad, bi-partisan popularity, both the Democratic and Republican parties have fought tooth and nail to prevent municipalities from implementing ranked-choice voting. However, in …
Bamboo, one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet, is well-known as a rudimentary building material used for many centuries. Today, although the resource is often limited to scaffolding or …
I’ve long assured both readers and those who hold elected office that I much prefer to write about the things government is doing right than bemoan its many shortcomings. This week provided an …
Popular dish soaps often claim to easily tackle grease, leave dishes sparkling clean, and uphold commitments to sustainability and safety. But these promises are often misleading. These products may …
In last week’s column , I suggested that the Manatee County Commission reevaluate its posture toward our state delegation. This week, Senator Jim Boyd and Representative Will Robinson took a …
In recent years, the relationship between Manatee County Commissioners and our delegation in the state legislature has been chummy, to say the least. That’s not surprising since both were …
Manasota 88 recently released its list of 2025 environmental priorities for Southwest Florida.
Tennis balls, primarily made from rubber and synthetic materials, do not biodegrade and can persist in the environment for years. Made with a combination of rubber and felt, they contribute both …
Syria, known throughout history as the “crossroads of civilization,” now finds itself at a crossroads of its own. After 54 years, the Assad family’s brutal dictatorship in Syria has …