Environmentalist: One that advocates for or works toward protecting the natural environment from destruction or pollution.
Conservationist: One that practices or advocates conservation, especially of natural resources.
Tree hugger: derogatory term for environmentalists who support restrictions on the logging industry and the preservation of forests. Often used to refer to environmentalists in general.
When you start referring to people by labels, it becomes far too easy to dismiss what they say. After all, you already know they are hopelessly deluded by their belief in something that is fundamentally flawed. Any thoughts or ideas they have couldn't possibly have any merit.
Yet, when I look at the disaster developing here in South Florida, I see what seems to be a suspension of that hard line-a blurring of labels. I see people of all political stripes speaking up against environmental destruction.
The disaster is our water crisis, specifically the Lake Okeechobee, Everglades, Caloosahatchee River water crisis.
We've been hearing that there's more activity on the island. Some folks are telling us that they are seeing a steady up tick in business these days, more than they have historically seen in June. Some contributing factors to that extra business may be that tourism is up on the island, especially compared to last year when we were feeling the effects of the BP oil spill and the Florida and national economy is beginning to turn around allowing more people to go on vacation whether it's for the weekend or longer. And there's no better vacation than going to the beach! It's good to see everyone busy in June!
***********************
I've been hearing a phrase lately that puzzles me. It has to do with our Town Council or any government body making a decision during off-season. It goes something like this: "This is a bad time to discuss (fill in the blank), when many of our homeowners and snowbirds are away.” It's often implied that the timing of the topic/vote has been manipulated by the powers that be in order to take advantage of that situation, as if to put one over on the voters of the Island.
The flaw in that way of thinking is that the only way to avoid that accusation is for Council to only make decisions when everyone is here.
For a supposedly sleepy summer weekend, there is a lot going on this weekend on the Beach. From BBQ to tossing mullet to a couple of pancake breakfast options, even a fishing tournament thrown in! No excuse to sit home this weekend when there is so much to do right here on the Beach!
And as it's Father's Day weekend, be sure to include Dad in your plans.
Yes, it's Dad's weekend. The one day that the often overlooked Dad gets his chance to be the focus of all family attention.
The tradition of a day to honor fathers began in 1910, just a few years after Mother's Day was established. Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, WA, whose father raised her and five siblings after their mother's death, is credited with originating the concept of Father's Day. By 1924, President Calvin Coolidge gave his official support and in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed it a national holiday. The observance of Father's Day on the third Sunday in June was decreed by law in 1972.
Don’t go near the water!
That’s the message from the Lee County Health Department this week in regard to the Caloosahatchee River. They urge caution due to concerns about toxins produced by blue-green algae. These algae, known as Cyanobacteria are harmful to fish, animals and people. The algae also reduce oxygen levels as it decomposes which results in fish kills.
The Health Department will know in the next week or so, exactly how high the toxin levels are. For now, they feel the levels are high enough to warrant caution. We thank them for watching out for the health of Lee County citizens.
We live in paradise, but are being urged to stay away from the river.
That is just so wrong on so many levels, where do we start?
How about "Why are the algae there in such huge numbers?”