Let’s Pin Down Gubernatorial Wannabes on What They’ll Do for Florida’s Environment

Florida Faces a Test Beyond Hurricane Season

Hey, Florida — congratulations on nearly making it through another hurricane season. But something more concerning looms ahead: the next election for governor. Florida’s environment, from its fragile wetlands to rising sea levels, demands stronger leadership and long-term vision.

Environmental Challenges Across the State

The state’s natural beauty — crystal springs, coral reefs, and the Everglades — forms the heart of Florida’s identity and economy. Yet these treasures are under growing threat. Toxic algae blooms have suffocated waterways, red tide has choked coastal life, and erratic weather events continue to intensify.

Developers, meanwhile, keep paving over wetlands for sprawling subdivisions. As sea levels rise, saltwater seeps into aquifers, endangering drinking water supplies. These trends point to a future where environmental negligence could cripple tourism, agriculture, and local communities alike.

Accountability for Political Candidates

Candidates often promise to care about Florida’s ecosystems, yet actions rarely match rhetoric. Voters should press every gubernatorial hopeful to disclose clear, science-based strategies for:

Voters have heard empty pledges before — it is time to demand measurable commitments and accountability.

A Call for Real Stewardship

The next governor must treat environmental policy as economic and moral responsibility, not a partisan checkbox. Protecting Florida’s ecosystems means protecting its future, its health, and its prosperity. As the election season heats up, Floridians have the power to ensure that the environment finally takes center stage.

“The natural world is Florida’s greatest asset — its destruction would be our greatest failure.”

Author’s summary: Florida’s next governor must champion genuine environmental policies to preserve the state’s ecosystems, economy, and resilience against intensifying climate threats.

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Miami New Times Miami New Times — 2025-11-28

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