The Green Zone an environmental blog

How much would you pay?

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:40:07 GMT

How much are citizens willing to shell out in order to protect the stability and sustainability of their community?

Green Wrap-Up

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 02:43:49 GMT

1. Consumers ready to take on climate change... 2. Countdown: Experts predict 33 years until Climate Crisis... 3. FL Gov. Charlie Crist takes his green message to Washington D.C

BUSH VETOES WATER PROTECTION – CONGRESS PREPARED TO OVERRIDE

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:17:19 GMT

King George expected to get the Congressional smackdown for dismissing national priority.

Clean, renewable energy as a road to peace

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:42:13 GMT

Clean energy could mean that there is one less reason for oil executives-turned-politicians to wage war. Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said in his new book: “The Iraq War is largely about oil," and "If Saddam Hussein had been head of Iraq and there was no oil under those sands, our response to him would not have been as strong…”

Global Climate Change Deniers – what is their motivation?

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:19:02 GMT

There are very few stragglers out there who still doubt climate change and our industrial exacerbation of it. It is ponderous to me, but there are. They fall into a couple of categories, generally. Those are: radical-right talk show listeners and corporate water carriers.

Hey Gov. Crist. Sign THIS!

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 21:11:45 GMT

Environmental blogger in Ocala tries to get a unique autograph from an out-of-the-ordinary Republican Governor

Marion's water in the crosshairs

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 17:54:49 GMT

The Metro Orlando area is about to a load get "our" water to serve 25 Central Florida utilities. It is time for Marion County to grow up and get smart.

FLORIDA: Waking up to the need for Green

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:12:47 GMT

Florida is famous for giving away our natural wonders to build a bigger tax base and a hefty profit for a few specific people. State government has allowed too much of this Great Peninsula to be paved over or polluted in exchange for money. But the times, they are a-changin'! State and local governments are waking up to the need for green (and not just greenbacks).

CFLs - and electronic waste

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:11:57 GMT

Reminder: This Saturday you can get rid of your electronics safely for free - and while we're at it, here's some FDEP guidelines for disposal of CFL lighbulbs

WATER WISDOM - If water costs money, why dump it down the drain?

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:12:47 GMT

It’s been blazing hot lately! I love a green yard, so I have been reluctantly watering my lawn a little more than usual. On these dry, scorching-hot days – and there have been many - I find myself standing around outside with a water hose.

Dispose of your old electronics free & responsibly on July 14

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 04:12:00 GMT

IT"S HERE - JULY 14 is Household Electronics Collection Day. Do your local landfill a favor and recycle these old heavy metals and chemicals that are contained in your computer monitors, TVs, stereos, etc.

Leonard Who?

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 10:32:00 GMT

When I see some faceless guy show up in my hometown paper claiming to represent people in my community, I want to know who else he represents. (see list of gigantic corporations below)

Why not be a good steward of your world?

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:27:00 GMT

READER RESPONSE: For some folks who seem hostile toward ecologically positive personal choices, it may be an issue of justification combined with a tad of guilt.

Striving to Improve

Sat, 26 May 2007 13:08:00 GMT

To be “Green,” do you have to abandon normalcy and become a stereotype tree hugger? No indeed – be yourself, just better. Don’t worry about being perfect. Instead, do what leaders around the planet do every day: Improve!

Water solution

Thu, 24 May 2007 11:08:00 GMT

One of my good frinds requested I post this solution to our water problems here in Marion County, as it appeared in Monday's Letters to the Editor. It is quite interesting ... let me know what you think...

Disgusting Fish and Wildlife official resigns amid scandal over political ethics violations

Sun, 06 May 2007 18:19:00 GMT

Bush’s Interior Department has been caught red-handed manipulating endangered animal protections for the benefit of oil, gas, ranching and timber industry friends, while giving internal documents to lobbyists who use it to sue the our own government! What a disgusting way to run a country full of extraordinarily beautiful, but increasingly-endangered natural spaces and things...

Carl Hiaasen: FDEP’s Human Use categories could be a gift to polluters

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 16:14:00 GMT

Carl Hiaasen is one of my favorite writers. His books and columns are so poignant – and his finger is right in the pulse of our great state of Florida. Instead of trying to paraphrase this very alarming article, “If you like polluted rivers, you’ll love this,” I have it here in its entirety:

National Round-Up, The Green Edition.

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 03:30:00 GMT

John McCain, Sheryl Crow, Karl Rove, George Bush, the American people, the Supreme Court, some bad proposed Florida Legislation and Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax" all make this week's national round-up. Click here to find out what's going on in The Green Zone!

The Green Trend

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 15:03:00 GMT

It is no surprise that "Going Green" is becoming trendy. A trend is simply something that the public, in general, embraces on a broad level. If producing less pollution and consuming less energy becomes trendy, that can only be a good thing for everyone.

Florida’s environmentalist hero gets her day

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:48:00 GMT

As we wind up March, which is National Women’s History Month, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) recognized environmental guardian Marjorie Harris Carr. Carr laid the groundwork for what is today Florida’s golden era of nature conservancy through state acquisition for protection from development.

From FDEP: “Her tireless efforts towards environmental protection resulted in significant wildlife preservation and land conservation, including the Cross Florida Greenway and the Payne’s Prairie State Preserve.

“Carr’s most significant accomplishment was ending construction of the Cross Florida Barge Canal, a vast project crossing central Florida that threatened the area's ecosystem. She began raising awareness about the project in 1962, when it was first announced, and continued until the project was abandoned in 1971.

“In 1990, former President George H. Bush officially de-authorized the barge canal and created the Cross Florida Greenway State Recreation and Conservation Area. In 1996, Carr was inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame in recognition of her environmental stewardship.

The Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway is a unique conservation and recreation project. Traversing Citrus, Levy, Marion and Putnam Counties, the 110-mile greenway occupies much of the land that was formerly the Cross Florida Barge Canal.

“’Marjorie Harris Carr was persistent and untiring in her efforts to protect Florida’s environment, working diligently for nearly 30 years to create the Cross Florida Greenway,’ said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. ‘National Women’s History Month gives us another opportunity to recognize her dedication to preserving the state’s natural resources for future generations.’

Florida’s premier greenway, the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River, encompassing a variety of habitats and ecosystems and offering an array of trails and recreation areas for visitors.”

Florida has recently embarked on an aggressive land-buying program that puts lands in need of restoration into state ownership. The State recently bought 5000 acres that was positioned just above the already-ailing Silver Springs. The land was previously owned by Miami firm, Avatar Holdings Inc. and was granted “vested” development rights, allowing them to ignore recent regulations put upon developers in this highly fragile bit of watery heaven known as Marion county. Avatar planned tens of thousands of homes, strip malls and a golf course, - and in a bit of irony, it was going to be called “Ocala Springs.”

For more information about Florida’s land acquisition program, visit: FDEP lands site