The Invading Sea
@theinvadingsea.bsky.social
A website with news, commentary and educational content about climate change and other environmental issues affecting Florida. Visit https://www.theinvadingsea.com/
Florida state Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) writes about the impact of a proposed Tampa Bay cruise ship port on Rattlesnake Key and other natural areas: "Preserving Rattlesnake Key, Knott-Cowen and the surrounding properties is a critical mission."
Rattlesnake Key is a treasure, not a tourist trap | The Invading Sea
A cruise ship port has been proposed in Manatee County near Rattlesnake Key and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
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February 11, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Florida state Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) writes about the impact of a proposed Tampa Bay cruise ship port on Rattlesnake Key and other natural areas: "Preserving Rattlesnake Key, Knott-Cowen and the surrounding properties is a critical mission."
Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks writes about bills that would create a fast track for massive projects to bypass local development rules in Florida: "In plain terms, they let the biggest, best-funded developers ignore the rules communities create to manage growth."
Florida ‘blue ribbon’ bills have red flags | The Invading Sea
HB 299 and SB 354 create a fast track for massive projects to bypass local development rules.
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February 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks writes about bills that would create a fast track for massive projects to bypass local development rules in Florida: "In plain terms, they let the biggest, best-funded developers ignore the rules communities create to manage growth."
Joe Murphy writes about advocating for the protection of public lands in Florida: "Have fun, enjoy and explore public lands – and then seek to protect them. Be a loud and consistent voice for wild Florida."
Share your public lands stories with Florida’s decision-makers | The Invading Sea
We must speak for, advocate for and unite behind our public lands during this current legislative session.
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February 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Joe Murphy writes about advocating for the protection of public lands in Florida: "Have fun, enjoy and explore public lands – and then seek to protect them. Be a loud and consistent voice for wild Florida."
Paul Gray of Audubon Florida writes about "one of the most iconic birds" in the state, endangered snail kites: "In 2025, Florida experienced an abnormally dry spring and the University of Florida reported only 30 successful snail kite nests in the entire state."
Snail kite population showing strain in dry years | The Invading Sea
Kite numbers are down after back-to-back dry nesting seasons in Florida.
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February 8, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Paul Gray of Audubon Florida writes about "one of the most iconic birds" in the state, endangered snail kites: "In 2025, Florida experienced an abnormally dry spring and the University of Florida reported only 30 successful snail kite nests in the entire state."
Robert L. Knight writes that the Florida Springs Institute recently studied north Florida dairies, finding that waste "from a relatively small number of dairies contribute about one-fourth of the total nitrogen load to the regional groundwater and springs."
Does Florida have too many dairy cows in the wrong places? | The Invading Sea
The Florida Springs Institute studied how dairies contribute to pollution in north Florida groundwater and springs.
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February 7, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Robert L. Knight writes that the Florida Springs Institute recently studied north Florida dairies, finding that waste "from a relatively small number of dairies contribute about one-fourth of the total nitrogen load to the regional groundwater and springs."
Haley Busch of 1000 Friends of Florida writes about state bills affecting local authority over storm recovery and other planning decisions: "Florida’s growth, housing and resilience challenges are real, but they cannot be solved by sidelining local governments."
A narrow window to restore local planning in Florida | The Invading Sea
Senate Bill 840 would restore limited but essential planning authority to local governments after future storms.
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February 6, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Haley Busch of 1000 Friends of Florida writes about state bills affecting local authority over storm recovery and other planning decisions: "Florida’s growth, housing and resilience challenges are real, but they cannot be solved by sidelining local governments."
With the Winter Olympics about to begin, a new Climate Central report covers the impact of climate change on the games. Only 52 out of 93 potential host cities will have reliable climate conditions for the Winter Olympics by the 2050s, the group reports.
Warming climate puts future of Winter Olympics at risk | The Invading Sea
Just 52 of 93 potential host cities will have reliable conditions for the Winter Olympics by the 2050s, Climate Central reports.
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February 5, 2026 at 1:00 PM
With the Winter Olympics about to begin, a new Climate Central report covers the impact of climate change on the games. Only 52 out of 93 potential host cities will have reliable climate conditions for the Winter Olympics by the 2050s, the group reports.
"As federal protection for headwater wetlands and streams recedes, it is important to take a moment to recognize, reinforce and reaffirm Florida’s commitment to protecting these vital ecosystems," write University of Florida professors David A. Kaplan and Matthew J. Cohen.
Who protects Florida’s wetlands when federal protections fade? | The Invading Sea
In the wake of the US Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA decision, Florida's laws matter more than ever.
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February 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM
"As federal protection for headwater wetlands and streams recedes, it is important to take a moment to recognize, reinforce and reaffirm Florida’s commitment to protecting these vital ecosystems," write University of Florida professors David A. Kaplan and Matthew J. Cohen.
Waste prevention and reuse provide substantial climate benefits, Kelley Dennings writes: "When we use fewer new products, we extract fewer raw materials, burn less energy in manufacturing and distribution, and prevent methane emissions from landfills."
Waste prevention, reuse best tools to fight climate pollution | The Invading Sea
Jacksonville’s first climate action plan aims to expand efforts to extend the life of products.
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February 3, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Waste prevention and reuse provide substantial climate benefits, Kelley Dennings writes: "When we use fewer new products, we extract fewer raw materials, burn less energy in manufacturing and distribution, and prevent methane emissions from landfills."
Rising global temperatures have serious repercussions for the survival of endangered sea turtles. Florida Atlantic professor Jeanette Wyneken spoke recently about how warmer beaches have led to female sea turtles surpassing the number of male hatchlings.
Florida Atlantic scientist says hotter beach temperatures produce fewer male sea turtles | The Invading Sea
Rising global temperatures have serious repercussions for the survival of endangered turtle species.
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February 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Rising global temperatures have serious repercussions for the survival of endangered sea turtles. Florida Atlantic professor Jeanette Wyneken spoke recently about how warmer beaches have led to female sea turtles surpassing the number of male hatchlings.
Boca Raton environmental scientist Iuliia Istratiy writes about the impact of aging septic systems on water quality in Florida: "While septic systems are often seen as a private household issue ... they have become a major public and environmental concern."
Aging septic systems fuel Florida’s growing water quality crisis | The Invading Sea
Most septic systems were never designed to remove nitrogen, a nutrient that fuels algae growth.
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February 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Boca Raton environmental scientist Iuliia Istratiy writes about the impact of aging septic systems on water quality in Florida: "While septic systems are often seen as a private household issue ... they have become a major public and environmental concern."
David Vaina writes about the impact of light pollution on wildlife and human health, writing that "brighter skies aren’t only a concern for stargazing hobbyists."
Reducing light pollution benefits wildlife, human health | The Invading Sea
Brighter skies impact the sleep of humans and can harm birds and other animals.
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January 31, 2026 at 1:00 PM
David Vaina writes about the impact of light pollution on wildlife and human health, writing that "brighter skies aren’t only a concern for stargazing hobbyists."
With Florida losing farmland "at an alarming rate," Traci Deen of Conservation Florida writes that the state's Rural and Family Lands Protection Program deserves expanded support: "The pace of development is unrelenting, and the window to protect these lands is closing fast."
Why Florida must fund the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program | The Invading Sea
Since its inception in 2001, the program has preserved over 225,000 acres of working agricultural land.
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January 30, 2026 at 1:00 PM
With Florida losing farmland "at an alarming rate," Traci Deen of Conservation Florida writes that the state's Rural and Family Lands Protection Program deserves expanded support: "The pace of development is unrelenting, and the window to protect these lands is closing fast."
In 2024, the state Legislature established the Florida Office of Ocean Economy to facilitate economic growth related to ocean and coastal resources and ensure they are used sustainably. Read more on theinvadingsea.com.
January 30, 2026 at 12:01 PM
In 2024, the state Legislature established the Florida Office of Ocean Economy to facilitate economic growth related to ocean and coastal resources and ensure they are used sustainably. Read more on theinvadingsea.com.
Mark McNees writes that blaming data centers for rising energy costs "misses the real problem" and solutions exist to address such issues: "The failures that allow costs to shift from companies to families are policy failures, not technology failures."
Don’t blame data centers for high bills — make them pay their own way | The Invading Sea
New data centers can be built without sticking the public with the costs of their energy and water use.
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January 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Mark McNees writes that blaming data centers for rising energy costs "misses the real problem" and solutions exist to address such issues: "The failures that allow costs to shift from companies to families are policy failures, not technology failures."
George LeMieux writes about a new Florida Council of 100 report on improving the state's storm and flooding resilience: "The storms are coming either way. Florida should meet them with policies and actions that help people live confidently and recover quickly."
Hurricane and flood resilience should matter to every Floridian | The Invading Sea
A new Florida Council of 100 report offers solutions to help us recover faster, rebuild smarter and protect our state.
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January 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM
George LeMieux writes about a new Florida Council of 100 report on improving the state's storm and flooding resilience: "The storms are coming either way. Florida should meet them with policies and actions that help people live confidently and recover quickly."
Michele Drucker writes about a bill that would allow schools to partner with local food banks and take other steps to reduce waste: "Every day, Florida schools discard enormous amounts of edible food while families across the state struggle with food insecurity."
Cutting food waste in Florida schools benefits students, farmers and the environment | The Invading Sea
SB 1464 allows schools to partner with local food banks and take other steps to reduce waste.
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January 27, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Michele Drucker writes about a bill that would allow schools to partner with local food banks and take other steps to reduce waste: "Every day, Florida schools discard enormous amounts of edible food while families across the state struggle with food insecurity."
Steve Adelstein of Eco World Water writes that Florida should develop alternatives to using treated drinking water to meet the water needs of new data centers: "We can make sustainable water management a cornerstone of responsible data center development."
If Florida wants data centers, we need a smarter water plan | The Invading Sea
Florida needs to move beyond outdated models that rely on treated drinking water for industrial cooling.
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January 26, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Steve Adelstein of Eco World Water writes that Florida should develop alternatives to using treated drinking water to meet the water needs of new data centers: "We can make sustainable water management a cornerstone of responsible data center development."
Joe Murphy writes about the role of religion in inspiring environmental protection efforts: "Conversations rooted in faith can drive conservation policy, and conservation inspired by faith can provide a true road forward to caring for creation."
Faith, conservation and the Florida Legislature | The Invading Sea
We should not be afraid to cite and reference our faith when we seek conservation solutions.
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January 25, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Joe Murphy writes about the role of religion in inspiring environmental protection efforts: "Conversations rooted in faith can drive conservation policy, and conservation inspired by faith can provide a true road forward to caring for creation."
The U.S. saw 23 billion-dollar disasters in 2025, the third-highest figure on record. Climate Central reports that such disasters have been happening with increasing frequency as climate change fuels extreme weather events and more people are located in harm’s way.
US saw 23 billion-dollar disasters in 2025, third highest on record | The Invading Sea
They include the Los Angeles fires, which were the costliest disaster of the year and the costliest wildfire in US history.
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January 24, 2026 at 1:01 PM
The U.S. saw 23 billion-dollar disasters in 2025, the third-highest figure on record. Climate Central reports that such disasters have been happening with increasing frequency as climate change fuels extreme weather events and more people are located in harm’s way.
Julie Wraithmell of Audubon Florida writes about increasing state funding for the Florida Forever land conservation program: "There is no better time to expand Florida’s system of state parks and conservation lands."
Florida’s wild heart is beating on borrowed time | The Invading Sea
Florida Forever needs funding to buy private land for new state parks, state forests and wildlife management areas.
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January 23, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Julie Wraithmell of Audubon Florida writes about increasing state funding for the Florida Forever land conservation program: "There is no better time to expand Florida’s system of state parks and conservation lands."
Chloe McKenna of ReThink Energy Florida writes about about the federal plan to allow oil drilling in the Gulf closer to Florida: "This expansion threatens coastal livelihoods, the tourism economy, ecological health and biodiversity, and community well-being."
New oil and gas leases would be catastrophic for the next generation | The Invading Sea
On Nov. 20, a five-year offshore leasing plan was announced that would push oil drilling closer to Florida’s coast.
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January 22, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Chloe McKenna of ReThink Energy Florida writes about about the federal plan to allow oil drilling in the Gulf closer to Florida: "This expansion threatens coastal livelihoods, the tourism economy, ecological health and biodiversity, and community well-being."
Rock Aboujaoude Jr. writes about filming a documentary on the Amazon en route to COP30: “The Amazon is changing faster than my team and I could ever imagine and in ways that are visible to those who have never even picked up a climate science textbook.”
From the Amazon’s frontline to COP30: What we saw, and what the US chose to abandon | The Invading Sea
In November, our team traveled more than 2,560 miles on the Amazon River to film a climate documentary.
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January 21, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Rock Aboujaoude Jr. writes about filming a documentary on the Amazon en route to COP30: “The Amazon is changing faster than my team and I could ever imagine and in ways that are visible to those who have never even picked up a climate science textbook.”
Howard L. Simon writes that septic system inspections would help prevent algal blooms that harm people and wildlife: "If there ever was legislation that is non-ideological and urgently needed ... requiring regular inspections of septic systems is it!"
Regular septic system inspections would protect Florida’s water, health | The Invading Sea
The nutrients in effluent from these systems contribute to harmful algal blooms that affect people and wildlife.
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January 20, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Howard L. Simon writes that septic system inspections would help prevent algal blooms that harm people and wildlife: "If there ever was legislation that is non-ideological and urgently needed ... requiring regular inspections of septic systems is it!"
Jorge Aguilar of Food & Water Watch writes that data centers threaten Florida's environment and affordability, calling for projects to be halted until "elected officials can determine if these facilities can coexist in harmony with people and our environment."
New data centers would drive up energy costs, climate risks in Florida | The Invading Sea
Massive data centers threaten to increase electricity bills and the amount of fossil fuels being burned.
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January 19, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Jorge Aguilar of Food & Water Watch writes that data centers threaten Florida's environment and affordability, calling for projects to be halted until "elected officials can determine if these facilities can coexist in harmony with people and our environment."