Unveiling the Secrets: How Moving Water Impacts The Everglades and Big Sugar

In the heart of Florida lies a land of enchantment, a vast expanse of natural wonders known as the Everglades. This unique ecosystem, with its sprawling wetlands and diverse wildlife, is as captivating as it is fragile. However, beneath the surface lies a controversial tale involving the intricate interplay of moving water, environmental conservation, and the powerful influence of Big Sugar.

Background: The Everglades - A Natural Wonder Under Threat

Spanning over 1.5 million acres, the Everglades is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and holds the distinction of being the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. Its freshwater marshes, coastal mangroves, and swamps support a thriving network of plants, animals, and bird species found nowhere else on the planet.

Moving Water: The Everglades and Big Sugar

by Alvin F. Oickle(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6889 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	272 pages

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Unfortunately, this iconic ecosystem faces numerous threats, one of which is the extensive agricultural practices of the sugar industry. Ever since the establishment of large-scale sugar plantations in the region, the water dynamics of the Everglades have been severely disrupted, impacting both the natural environment and the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

The Role of Moving Water in the Everglades

At its core, the Everglades is a shallow, slow-moving river. Water flow is crucial to maintain its intricate web of life. The river of grass relies on a delicate balance of rainfall, natural flooding, and controlled distribution of water to sustain its vibrant ecosystem.

Over the years, human intervention has disturbed this balance. In an effort to protect urban areas and facilitate agricultural practices, the construction of canals, levees, and water control structures has redirected the natural flow of water away from the Everglades.

This artificial alteration has fostered adverse effects on the ecosystem. The diminished water flow has led to the degradation of marsh habitats, the decline of fish populations, and the loss of bird nesting areas. Native plants and animals that depend on the regular ebb and flow of water have struggled to adapt, leading to species endangerment and extinction.

Big Sugar: Unsweetened Consequences

The sugar industry, dominated by powerful corporations often referred to as Big Sugar, has played a significant role in the manipulation of water flow. The vast expanses of sugar cane plantations rely on an intricate irrigation system to satisfy their enormous water requirements.

These irrigation schemes divert water from the Everglades, depriving the natural system of its vital lifeline. Moreover, the agricultural practices associated with sugar cane cultivation involve the widespread use of fertilizers and pesticides, leading to the pollution of nearby water bodies.

The pollution resulting from these practices further aggravates the state of the Everglades, contributing to harmful algal blooms and negatively impacting aquatic life. The effects are not limited to wildlife; downstream communities that rely on the Everglades for their water supply face potential repercussions from the polluted runoff.

A Call for Conservation and Restoration

Moving forward, it is essential to recognize the far-reaching consequences of diverting water from the Everglades. The preservation of this unique ecosystem not only protects countless plant and animal species but also ensures the sustainability of water resources for future generations.

Efforts are presently underway to restore the natural flow of water and undo the damage inflicted by human intervention. Projects such as the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan aim to reintroduce and regulate water flow, allowing the ecosystem to flourish once again.

Furthermore, sustained pressure on the sugar industry to adopt more environmentally friendly practices, reduce water usage, and better manage fertilizer application is essential for the long-term conservation of the Everglades.

The Hidden Truth Revealed

As we delve deeper into the intertwined story of moving water, the Everglades, and Big Sugar, it becomes apparent that the impacts of human intervention on the natural world are immense and far-reaching.

It is our responsibility, as stewards of the Earth, to shed light on the hidden truths and raise awareness about the importance of protecting fragile ecosystems, such as the Everglades. Only through collective action and a genuine commitment to environmental conservation can we ensure a sustainable future for both nature and humanity.

Let's join hands in preserving the magnificent beauty and irreplaceable treasures that lie within the Everglades - for they are a testament to the wonders of our planet and the resilience of Mother Nature herself.

Moving Water: The Everglades and Big Sugar

by Alvin F. Oickle(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6889 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	272 pages

FREE

A riveting story of environmental disaster and political intrigue, Moving Water exposes how Florida's clean water is threatened by dirty power players and the sugar cane industry.

Only a century ago, nearly all of South Florida was under water. The Everglades, one of the largest wetlands in the world, was a watery arc extending over 3 million acres. Today, that wetland ecosystem is half of its former self, supplanted by housing for the region's exploding population and over 700,000 acres of crops, including the nation's largest supply of sugar cane. Countless canals, dams, and pump stations keep the trickle flowing, but rarely address the cascade of environmental consequences, including dangerous threats to a crucial drinking water source for a full third of Florida's residents.

In Moving Water, environmental journalist Amy Green explores the story of unlikely conservation heroes George and Mary Barley, wealthy real estate developers and champions of the Everglades, whose complicated legacy spans from fisheries in Florida Bay to the political worlds of Tallahassee and Washington. At the center of their surprising saga is the establishment and evolution of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP),a $17 billion taxpayer-funded initiative aimed at reclaiming this vital ecosystem. Green explains that, like the meandering River of Grass, the progress of CERP rarely runs straight, especially when it comes up against the fierce efforts of sugar-growing interests, or "Big Sugar," to obstruct the cleanup of fertilizer runoff wreaking havoc with restoration.

This engrossing exposé tackles some of the most important issues of our time: Is it possible to save a complex ecosystem such as the Everglades—or, once degraded, are such ecological wonders gone forever? What kind of commitments—economic, scientific, and social—will it take to rescue our vulnerable natural resources? What influences do special interests wield in our everyday lives, and what does it take to push real reform through our democracy? A must-read for anyone fascinated by stories of political intrigue and the work of environmental crusaders like Erin Brockovich, as well as anyone who cares about the future of Florida, this book reveals why the Everglades serve as a model—and a warning—for environmental restoration efforts worldwide.