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Adopting A Greener Course

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 29, 2009

Florida is flat as a pancake with minimal elevation and is all but surrounded by water. The farthest point inland from the Gulf or Atlantic is just 70 miles, while most of the population lives within 25 miles of the coast on land no more than 20 feet above sea level. We are 18 million people living on a sand bar with more at risk and more to lose from sea level rise than anywhere in the world.

So why isn't Florida a world leader when it comes to emissions-reducing policies and environmentally conscientious living? Every county commission, city council and planning board throughout the state, as well as the Legislature and governor, should be setting the pace for green, progressive action.

But that is far from the case. Developers have long run this state, often at the expense of the environment and quality of life. Only the market has been able to do what no politicians in this state have ever had the courage to do: Put a clamp on growth.

When it comes to policies such as bottle deposits, higher CAFE standards, anti-idling laws, restrictions on lawn mower/leaf blower pollution and ped/bike advocacy, Florida is off the radar.

Hopefully, the increasing threat of climate change, combined with the state's vulnerability, will spur our politicians and leaders to adopt a greener course.

CHIP THOMAS

Tampa

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