Policy Solutions

All Policy Documents Tagged florida

Florida Coastal and Ocean Policy Report Card

Issue Paper

The Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition is a group of organizations, including NRDC, working together to conserve, protect, and restore Florida's coastal and marine environment. The Florida Coastal and Ocean Policy Report Card provides a detailed analysis and evaluation of the legislative and government actions taken in Florida during 2007 and 2008 toward the goals of curbing unwise coastal development, protecting coastal and marine habitats, implementing and enforcing coastal and ocean pollution laws, protecting marine ecosystems, ensuring robust and plentiful fisheries and marine species, reducing global warming pollution and strengthening coastal and ocean governance in Florida.

Offshore Drilling Threatens Our Beaches, Oceans, Coastal Communities and Marine Life

Legislative Analysis

President Bush and some members of Congress are pressing to open offshore areas that have been protected from oil drilling for many years, including the east and west coasts and Florida.

Florida Needs a Healthy Oceans Act
We can revive the world's oceans, starting with a Healthy Oceans Act.

Fact Sheet

We depend on the ocean for food, recreation, and jobs, but now pollution, overexploitation, and habitat degradation are pushing the world’s oceans into a silent state of collapse. In Florida, ocean deterioration has led to beach closings, dying reefs, fewer fish for commercial and recreational fishing, and dangerous chemicals in some of the state’s seafood. Fortunately, solutions are available that can help revive the world’s oceans, starting with passing a national Healthy Oceans Act. Get document in pdf.

Florida’s Coastal and Ocean Future
A Blueprint for Economic and Environmental Leadership

Issue Paper

With tourism, fishing and recreational sport bringing billions of dollars into Florida each year, the coast is Florida's economic engine. But now the state's unique beaches are being threatened by pollution, unsustainable development and overfishing that are leading to plummeting fish catches, outbreaks of harmful algae, dying marine life and beach closures. This issue paper, originally published in September 2006 and updated in April 2007, provides a blueprint for how local leaders and decision makers can -- and must -- take action to protect Florida’s marine and coastal ecosystems. Since its original publication, 160 businesses and organizations have endorsed the Blueprint. The 2009 Florida Coastal and Ocean Policy Report Card provides a detailed analysis and evaluation of the legislative and government actions taken in Florida during 2007 and 2008 toward the goals outlined in this issue paper.

Global Warming’s Effects on Florida’s Oceans and Coasts Demand Immediate Action

Fact Sheet

NRDC and our partners are fighting to revive and protect Florida's thriving coastal and ocean economy by promoting measures that will reduce global warming pollution and protect coastal habitats and restore robust fisheries. Get document in pdf.

Feeling the Heat in Florida
Global Warming on the Local Level

Report

Accelerated climate change may seem like a remote concern to most Floridians, but in fact, global warming threatens the beautiful coastal communities and tourist-driven prosperity the state is known for. This October 2001 NRDC report finds that global warming in Florida will lead to coastal floods, saltwater contamination of underground drinking water supplies, more frequent wildfires, declining crop yields, and severe deterioration of the state's unique Everglades and coral-reef ecosystems. While the worst effects won't come for several decades, the report makes it clear that state officials should begin preparing now and reduce the pollution that causes global warming.