Florida lawmakers target cigarette smoking on beaches
Florida lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow local governments to ban cigarette smoking on beaches and in public parks.
Florida lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow local governments to ban cigarette smoking on beaches and in public parks.
Mote scientists hope red tide research leads to improved predictions
Dr. Cynthia Heil at Mote Marine Laboratory says predicting red tide blooms is a lot like predicting hurricanes. The short-term forecast is good, but longer-term gets "challenging."
Dr. Cynthia Heil at Mote Marine Laboratory says predicting red tide blooms is a lot like predicting hurricanes. The short-term forecast is good, but longer-term gets "challenging."
US had its coldest February in more than 30 years, NOAA reports
Last month’s dangerous winter storms in the United States caused record subzero temperatures, power outages for millions of homeowners and led to more than two dozen deaths. It also brought one of the coldest Februarys in decades.
Last month’s dangerous winter storms in the United States caused record subzero temperatures, power outages for millions of homeowners and led to more than two dozen deaths. It also brought one of the coldest Februarys in decades.
‘Megadrought’ persists in western states with no end in sight, according to scientists
The western U.S. continues to endure dry conditions, and now scientists are using the term “megadrought” to describe the problem — which has existed for decades — with no end in sight.
The western U.S. continues to endure dry conditions, and now scientists are using the term “megadrought” to describe the problem — which has existed for decades — with no end in sight.
Biden hopes to boost offshore wind as Massachusetts project advances
If approved, the $2B project would be the first utility-scale wind power development in federal waters. Biden has vowed to double offshore wind production by 2030.
If approved, the $2B project would be the first utility-scale wind power development in federal waters. Biden has vowed to double offshore wind production by 2030.
Pollen seasons in the US getting longer, more intense due to climate change, study finds
Feeling like your allergies have been getting worse the past few years? A new study suggests that climate change is making pollen seasons longer and more intense.
Feeling like your allergies have been getting worse the past few years? A new study suggests that climate change is making pollen seasons longer and more intense.
Humans are likely cause of shift in Atlantic hurricane cycles, climate study suggests
The new study found that humans — not nature — are likely the primary cause of changes in Atlantic hurricane patterns.
The new study found that humans — not nature — are likely the primary cause of changes in Atlantic hurricane patterns.
Tampa Bay Watch promotes environmental stewardship with family field trips
Families looking for new interactive learning experiences during the month of March can take a field trip to Tierra Verde.
Families looking for new interactive learning experiences during the month of March can take a field trip to Tierra Verde.
New report reveals troubling water quality trends in Old Tampa Bay
The results of a recent study by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program revealed some concerning trends regarding levels of algae known for posing a health risk to wildlife and people.
The results of a recent study by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program revealed some concerning trends regarding levels of algae known for posing a health risk to wildlife and people.
Massive iceberg, 20x the size of Manhattan, breaks off in Antarctic
A massive iceberg, 20 times the size of Manhattan, broke off in the Antarctic according to the British Antarctic Survey.
A massive iceberg, 20 times the size of Manhattan, broke off in the Antarctic according to the British Antarctic Survey.
Florida Republicans detail plan to combat rising sea levels
Florida state lawmakers unveiled an "aggressive" plan to combat sea-level rise in the state’s history Friday.
Florida state lawmakers unveiled an "aggressive" plan to combat sea-level rise in the state’s history Friday.
Lawmakers ask Navy to sink decommissioned assault ship off Florida coast
The US Navy has been trying to decide what to do with a massive assault ship that was heavily damaged last year by fire. A group of lawmakers is trying to convince military leaders to sink the USS Bonhomme Richard off Florida's coast.
The US Navy has been trying to decide what to do with a massive assault ship that was heavily damaged last year by fire. A group of lawmakers is trying to convince military leaders to sink the USS Bonhomme Richard off Florida's coast.
Electric vehicle tax needed to bridge gas tax shortfall, lawmakers say
More people driving electric cars on Florida's roadways could mean fewer people at the pump to pay gas taxes that are used for road construction.
More people driving electric cars on Florida's roadways could mean fewer people at the pump to pay gas taxes that are used for road construction.
Report: Flood insurance could see drastic increase with debut of new risk calculator
In Florida, researchers found on average homeowners are paying about $1,600 a year in flood insurance when they should be paying more like $8,200.
In Florida, researchers found on average homeowners are paying about $1,600 a year in flood insurance when they should be paying more like $8,200.
Florida researcher hopes to clear the air about cow burps
It turns out that cows do a lot of belching. And all that cow burping comes with environmental consequences: During the digestion process, cows can produce over a half a pound of methane every day.
It turns out that cows do a lot of belching. And all that cow burping comes with environmental consequences: During the digestion process, cows can produce over a half a pound of methane every day.
Supreme Court weighs arguments in Florida-Georgia water battle
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday plunged back into a years-long water battle between Florida and Georgia, at times sounding skeptical of arguments that more water should be directed to Florida in a river system shared by the states.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday plunged back into a years-long water battle between Florida and Georgia, at times sounding skeptical of arguments that more water should be directed to Florida in a river system shared by the states.
Bill Gates warns coming climate crisis will be deadlier than coronavirus
In his new book, “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster,” Bill Gates says that it is imperative that the world go from the current 51 billion tons of emissions to zero within the next 30 years to avoid catastrophe.
In his new book, “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster,” Bill Gates says that it is imperative that the world go from the current 51 billion tons of emissions to zero within the next 30 years to avoid catastrophe.
Huge societal changes needed to keep nature, make Earth livable for humans, UN says
Humans are making Earth a broken and increasingly unlivable planet through climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. So the world must make dramatic changes to society, economics and daily life, a new United Nations report says.
Humans are making Earth a broken and increasingly unlivable planet through climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. So the world must make dramatic changes to society, economics and daily life, a new United Nations report says.
Volunteers to work to clean up driftwood debris left by Tropical Storm Eta
The Tampa Bay Estuary Program is recruiting volunteers to help clean up lumbar and washed up driftwood left from Tropical Storm Eta’s storm surge back in November.
The Tampa Bay Estuary Program is recruiting volunteers to help clean up lumbar and washed up driftwood left from Tropical Storm Eta’s storm surge back in November.
Crews torch more than 200 acres in Polk County as part of prescribed burn
Forest rangers are gearing up for the upcoming wildfire season by burning brush in key areas. Members of the Florida Forest Service performed a prescribed burn in Polk County Tuesday, igniting more than 200 acres.
Forest rangers are gearing up for the upcoming wildfire season by burning brush in key areas. Members of the Florida Forest Service performed a prescribed burn in Polk County Tuesday, igniting more than 200 acres.