May 2024

Paid Climate Corps Training Positions Are Now Open In Miami

If you know your history then you’ve probably heard of the New Deal, a massive jobs program created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression. Well, now we’ve got the American Climate Corps, intended to put 20,000 young people to work in emerging industries to fill skills shortages and build green careers. 

It was reported this month that two groups in South Florida have signed up to offer paid training through the scheme - The Greater Miami Service Corps and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. The green careers in question include work in areas such as solar and renewable energy, wildfire prevention, and forestry. The Greater Miami Service Corps already has members helping to maintain green spaces in city parks and installing sustainable water and electric upgrades – such as LED bulbs and low flow faucets – in residents’ homes.

The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, meanwhile, is inviting trainees to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, collecting data on the hydrologic changes to the tree islands in the Everglades. Another Florida-based organization linked to the scheme is the Urban Paradise Guild, which runs a ‘climate apprenticeship’ program, with trainees combining outdoor, physical tasks such as planting trees in the wet season with work on specialisms like urban forestry.

Palm Beach County Receives $5.7 Million Grant For Water Reuse Initiatives From Florida Department Of Environmental Protection

Although many of the stories covered in the H2O Zone focus on the sustainability that can be delivered by committed individuals or voluntary organizations, there’s no getting away from the fact that the issues caused by climate change can often only be dealt with through the application of large amounts of money. We saw an example of this in May, when Palm Beach County was given a $5.7 million grant by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to boost initiatives based around water reuse. The money will be given to the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department and spent on a range of projects. $2.7 million, for example, will be used to construct a reclaimed water pipeline in south Palm Beach County, while $3 million has been set aside for the Green Cay Wetlands Surficial Aquifer System. The latter will include a Reclamation Education and Center for Advanced Purification, a project which will not only use the latest reuse technology to purify water to drinkable quality, but will also operate as an educational beacon where visitors can learn about water conservation and the role it will play in dealing with the issues raised by climate change.

Over 20% Of The Week's Water Violations Came From The Water Shortage Area In NE Cape Coral

Quite often, the coverage around water conservation and climate change deals with large scale figures such as the temperature of the sea or the amount of rain falling in a year. While big picture details like these are clearly important, they can be difficult for us all to relate to our everyday lives, which is why it’s important to flag up issues such as those currently being faced in North East Cape Coral.

In this part of the Florida a water shortage has been raging for six months, and symptoms include dry wells, brown lawns and 292 water violations handed out by the city in the week between 8-15 May. Other steps taken to deal with the problem of water shortages include an agreement between the South Florida Water Management District and the City of Cape Coral that any new properties are not allowed to drill wells accessing the aquifer in North East Cape Coral. This follows reports earlier in May that homeowners in North East Cape Coral were spending as much as $15,000 to have a new well dug, and that one homeowner had resorted to joining a gym so that he could shower daily.

All too often the idea of a commitment to the climate is framed as being a choice between indulging in things that you enjoy and being ‘good’ and protecting the environment. The truth of the matter, however, is that there are many ways in which you can indulge in the finer things in life and still do your bit to help deal with the threat of climate change, and Kaya, a Filipino restaurant in Orlando offers a great example. 

Kaya, founded by Chef Lordfer Lalicon and Jamilyn Bailey is a Florida restaurant that’s been awarded the much-coveted Michelin Green Star Award, an accolade that recognizes the ability to combine truly delicious food with a commitment to sustainability and eco-conscious dining. This commitment is underlined by the fact that 90% of the produce used in Kaya is sourced from local Florida farms, and the owners pride themselves on building strong ties with members of the local community as well as artisans and farmers. The food itself involves a tasting menu based on classic Filipino dishes showcasing local seafood and central Florida produce, and every stage of production minimizes waste and makes innovative use of by-products.

Gainesville One Of 12 Cities Selected To Participate In National Sustainability Program

Here at Hoover we know that sustainability is not an end point but a process. The irrigation systems we design and install are put in place to make a difference not just from day one, but also into the future. It’s the same kind of approach demonstrated in this story, highlighting the fact that Gainesville, in North Central Florida, has been selected as one of 12 cities to take part in a national sustainability program. The program, LEED for Cities Local Government Leadership Program, works with the chosen cities to set goals, analyze data and bolster regional climate action plans. LEED itself is a rating system that looks at public health, green spaces and environmental justice. The Chief Climate Officer for Gainesville, Dr. Dan Zhu, stated that taking part in the program would help to set a standard of sustainability for the future as well as enhancing surroundings and the quality of life for residents in the here and now. Gainesville has a strong track record of commitment to sustainability, with a climate action plan in place and a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, and being involved in this program will only help to enhance that reputation.

Dynamic Doppelganger: Developing Florida’s Digital Twin

Here in the H₂O Zone we’re always excited by stories which highlight how the latest developments in technology are going to help us all to promote sustainability and deal with the threat of climate change. We know all about smart irrigation, for example, and this story highlights another way in which computing power is helping to deliver a sustainable future. It deals with the creation of a virtual Jacksonville, viewable through an augmented reality headset, that sets out a 3D section of the city in intricate detail. The ‘digital twin’ has been created by researchers at the University of Florida, and enables decision makers such as urban planners to visualize the real-world impact various climate scenarios will have on land use and infrastructure investment. The UF project has been given $1.75 million in funding from the Florida Legislature, and makes use of the HiPerGator, which is no less than the fastest supercomputer in US higher education. The digital creation reveals details of the roads, buildings and wastewater infrastructure in Jacksonville, and will enable users such as Jacksonville residents and urban planners to gain insights into things such as the potential effects of flooding, and the steps needed to alleviate issues through careful planning and design. Once in place, the digital twins will also be used to deliver better outcomes in the health care sector and across public health systems.

This Disease Is The Latest Threat To Florida's Mangrove Trees

This story highlights the fact that nature itself can sometimes be the cause of ecological problems rather than, as is so often the case, the solution. It looks at the worrying case of mangrove trees being impacted by a disease-causing fungi, something which initially came to light when young trees at the Brevard County plant nursery suddenly started droopping. Within days, nearly 400 of the mangrove trees had died, and researchers at the University of Central Florida used samples to establish that the cause was a cocktail of disease-causing fungi that scientists have identified in several countries across the globe, from Vietnam to Colombia. The pathogen was first found in Miami mangrove trees in 2019 and now scientists are finding infected trees all along the Indian River Lagoon on Florida’s east coast. Even more worrying is the fact that the pathogen can also lie dormant in healthy trees, and has been found to be present in 80% of leaves tested in Southeast Florida, and reports suggest it may be present in Venice, the Panhandle and the Tampa Bay area.  The early symptoms include curled leaves, dark spots, stem lesions and fallen leaves, and if the mangrove tree has been taken over completely it will suffer yellowing leaves, curling leaves with holes and all of the leaves falling off. The threat to mangrove trees in Florida, which can sometimes die off altogether as a result of the pathogen, is particularly urgent, as the trees are the natural line of defense against rising sea levels, storm surge and flooding.

Hialeah Wants Its Own Version Of The Underline

If you live in Miami you may well be aware of The Underline. This is a park which is currently being constructed across 10 miles in Miami, Coral Gables, and South Miami, making use of land beneath Miami’s Metrorail. The Underline includes native greenery, an urban gym and public art displays, and phase one of construction is already open to the public. It now seems the City of Hialeah has taken inspiration from The Underline, with this month's unveiling of plans for the ‘Hia-Line’.

This is a development designed to make use of 5,000 linear feet of underused Metrorail space in the city, transforming what is currently wasted space into a range of features including pathways for pedestrians and cyclists, a dog park, a domino park, basketball courts, outdoor fitness facilities and a green space for community use. Currently, according to the presentation put together by the city, the land beneath the Metrorail is often used for illegal dumping and ‘vagrant activity’. If the project is given county approval it will be another example of the greening of city spaces and the way in which environmental projects can be delivered in a manner which enhances the quality of life of city residents.