Flooded grasslands and savannas
River of Grass: Florida’s Environmental Voters
This year the Everglades is at the center of Florida’s politics with a rhetorical battle over an anticipated Everglades clean-up by sugar companies. President Clinton’s commitment to tax sugar producers for this effort seems to have the popular edge over Bob Dole’s stance of citizen taxation. Sandy Tolan reports on Florida’s expected sweet vote for […]
Endocrine Disrupters – In Alligators
In this encore presentation, host Steve Curwood travels to the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia to investigate the effects of synthetic chemicals on alligators. Researchers there are hunting for clues on the possible harmful effects of some compounds to the alligators’ reproductive systems. These animals have been around for 250 million years and some scientists question […]
Andrew and the Environment
Alexis Muellner reports from Miami on the impact of Hurricane Andrew on the Everglades and other parts of the South Florida ecosystem. Hurricanes have been part of the region’s natural cycle for millennia, but intensive development in recent decades has eroded the ecosystem’s ability to bounce back from Andrew’s devastation.
Florida Mercury Levels Down
Mercury levels in Florida Everglades wildlife have dropped more than 75% the last decade. Guest host Bruce Gellerman talks with Tom Atkeson, mercury coordinator for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection about the state’s successful effort to reduce mercury emissions from incinerators.