The Invading Sea

Here’s how climate disinformation endangers national security | The Invading Sea In Florida, intensifying disasters and disinformation combine to endanger our lives and divide our citizens.

Former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff writes that climate disinformation endangers national security: "Our need for reliable information on climate threats should matter to all Americans, regardless of location or political persuasion."

Here's why it is Florida's moment to lead on renewable energy | The Invading Sea Florida has a unique opportunity to model how a coastal state protects its economy while leading an energy transition.

"If we want to keep drilling away from our shores for good, we must also address how we meet rising energy needs. ... Saying 'no' to drilling requires saying 'yes' to a more resilient clean energy future," Tara Hubbard and Caleb Quaid write.

UF/IFAS Extension provides practical solutions to range of problems facing Floridians  | The Invading Sea For an average of 3 cents a day per Florida taxpayer, Extension addresses challenges for farms, cities and suburbs.

Andra Johnson of UF/IFAS writes about how Florida's Extension Service works on issues such as coastal protection, water usage and other challenges facing the state: "We meet community challenges locally, whether on the farm, in the city or the suburbs."

Seedlings of hope sprout for Ocklawaha River restoration | The Invading Sea It is well past time to breach the Rodman Reservoir dam and restore the natural flow of the Ocklawaha.

Retired U.S. Navy rear admiral William McQuilkin writes about legislation that could lead to the Ocklawaha River's restoration and breaching the Rodman Reservoir dam: "It is well past time to breach the dam and restore the natural flow of the Ocklawaha."

Florida’s water can’t afford more nitrogen pollution  | The Invading Sea When too much nitrogen enters our waterways, it feeds algal blooms, clouds water and kills fish.

Steve Adelstein of Eco World Water writes about its efforts to develop a solution to nitrogen pollution from Florida’s wastewater: "Florida’s water legacy is still within our control, but only if we focus on removing nitrogen before it enters the system."

Improving Florida water quality, one clam at a time  | The Invading Sea Clam farmers deliver valuable ecosystem services by installing one of nature’s water filtration systems.

Cedar Key clam farmer Tim Solano writes about how the industry improves water quality and provides other ecosystem services: "When I plant a clam seed off the coast, I am not just growing protein. I am installing one of nature’s water filtration systems."

Florida leads the nation on flood resilience. We must invest to protect Floridians  | The Invading Sea Investing in solutions such as the Resilient Florida program reduces flood risk and costly repairs.

Kate Wesner of the American Flood Coalition writes that the Resilient Florida program has made the state a national leader in protecting communities from flooding: "We must continue to invest in cost-effective solutions to protect people and property from flood damage."

President Trump: Keep Florida great and say no to new offshore drilling   | The Invading Sea Okaloosa County depends on healthy waters, strong military bases and an unspoiled environment.

Shane Weddle writes that he's a Florida Panhandle business owner and veteran who voted for Donald Trump, and is now asking the president to remove the eastern Gulf from an oil drilling plan: "Protect our Gulf, our military readiness and our way of life."

Florida's state parks are for sea cows, not beef cows  | The Invading Sea HB 1421 and SB 1658 would require grazable public conservation lands in Florida to be made available for cattle grazing.

Harper West writes that bills to allow cattle grazing on some Florida conservation land would restrict "access to state lands we paid for with our tax dollars, for livestock that would, in turn, trample and pollute the very ecosystems we paid to preserve."

I grew up in Old Florida. We can’t fast-track its disappearance  | The Invading Sea The 'Blue Ribbon Projects' bill would make it easier to turn thousands of acres of rural Florida into sprawling development.

Haley Busch of 1000 Friends of Florida writes that the "Blue Ribbon Projects" bill being considered by the Legislature "would make it easier to turn thousands of acres of rural Florida into sprawling development with less public review than a typical subdivision."

Public lands support Florida families – they helped build ours  | The Invading Sea Finding the beauty and wonder of nature helped us discover the beauty and wonder of each other.

"When my wife and I adopted our son and daughter, it was not amusement parks that bonded us as a family in those fragile early days. It was wild, natural, free places ... Our family immersed ourselves in Florida’s public lands," Joe Murphy writes.

Suits, ties, cast nets and sunscreen. We say stop the Skyway Cruise Port | The Invading Sea A cruise ship terminal has been proposed in Manatee County near the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve.

"We already have cruise ships. We already have a booming tourism industry. You know what we don’t have a lot of? Untouched shoreline in Tampa Bay," writes Tampa Bay Waterkeeper Justin Tramble about the environmental impact of a proposed cruise ship port.

Protect Florida’s environment from single-use plastics  | The Invading Sea Senate Bill 240 and House Bill 575 would strengthen and unify Florida’s plastic regulations.

Grace Hooker writes about legislation aimed at strengthening Florida’s regulation of single-use plastics: "Single-use plastics clog our springs, pollute our rivers and often end up in the ocean, where they negatively impact marine animals."

If the EPA walks away from science, Florida families pay the price   | The Invading Sea Weakening federal climate protections will leave families paying more for insurance, electricity and disaster recovery.

Yoca Arditi-Rocha of the CLEO Institute writes about how the EPA repealing the endangerment finding affects Florida: "If it is repealed, the government loses one of its strongest tools to reduce the pollution driving stronger hurricanes, extreme heat and rising costs."

Our oceans can’t afford Trump’s oil-soaked future | The Invading Sea If offshore drilling expands according to a federal plan, it could cause 4,232 oil spills over the next few decades.

Kristen Monsell of @biologicaldiversity.org writes that the Trump administration's offshore drilling plan "could cause a staggering 4,232 oil spills over the next few decades. That means around 12 million gallons of crude dumped straight into the ocean."

Weatherizing your home is a win-win for climate and wallet | The Invading Sea Energy use creates emissions, and for most households, our biggest energy hogs are heating and air conditioning.

Karen Dougherty of C-Change Conversations writes about the benefits of home weatherization in reducing electric bills and greenhouse gas emissions: "Many of the actions we can take to help reduce the effects of climate change also make our lives better."

Nature shapes climate solutions at Climate Correction  | The Invading Sea VoLo Foundation’s 2026 flagship event brings science and leadership together with natural solutions in Orlando

Thais Lopez Vogel writes that “Nature Powered Solutions” is the theme of VoLo Foundation's upcoming Climate Correction conference: "This year’s gathering focuses on a simple but powerful premise: The solutions we need are already present in nature."

An affordable and environmentally sound solution to aging septic systems | The Invading Sea Enhanced nutrient-reducing septic systems are designed to reduce excess nitrogen pollution.

Bob Eichinger writes about an alternative to traditional septic systems that cuts pollution: "Enhanced nutrient-reducing septic systems (ENRs) provide an alternative wastewater treatment solution specifically designed to reduce excess nitrogen pollution."

A valentine for wild Florida  | The Invading Sea I love wild Florida because of the beauty and magic in all species, from the most endangered to the most common.

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, Joe Murphy writes about his love for wild Florida: "I love wild Florida because of the beauty and natural magic in all species, from the most endangered to the most common."

Climate change shifting best places for plants  | The Invading Sea Plant hardiness zones are becoming less predictable as our summers get hotter and wetter.

Susan Nugent writes about how climate change is shifting plant hardiness zones in Florida: "Determining the best zone for a plant isn’t as easy as it once was."

“Coral reefs are national natural infrastructure … Their biggest benefit to the U.S. is coastal protection, and that coastal protection can be hundreds of millions of dollars annually,” said Curt Storlazzi, USGS research geologist and lead author of the study. Read more on theinvadingsea.com 

Blue Origin plan puts Indian River Lagoon at serious risk | The Invading Sea Blue Origin seeks to renew a permit to discharge wastewater into a retention pond that drains into the Indian River.

J.P. Brooker of Ocean Conservancy writes about the impact of space technology company Blue Origin’s wastewater plan on the Indian River Lagoon: "It is my hope that the company sees and understands that this is not just about Florida’s waters. Our ocean spans the globe."

Rattlesnake Key is a treasure, not a tourist trap | The Invading Sea A cruise ship port has been proposed in Manatee County near Rattlesnake Key and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

Florida state Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) writes about the impact of a proposed Tampa Bay cruise ship port on Rattlesnake Key and other natural areas: "Preserving Rattlesnake Key, Knott-Cowen and the surrounding properties is a critical mission."

Florida ‘blue ribbon’ bills have red flags | The Invading Sea HB 299 and SB 354 create a fast track for massive projects to bypass local development rules.

Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks writes about bills that would create a fast track for massive projects to bypass local development rules in Florida: "In plain terms, they let the biggest, best-funded developers ignore the rules communities create to manage growth."

Share your public lands stories with Florida’s decision-makers  | The Invading Sea We must speak for, advocate for and unite behind our public lands during this current legislative session.

Joe Murphy writes about advocating for the protection of public lands in Florida: "Have fun, enjoy and explore public lands – and then seek to protect them. Be a loud and consistent voice for wild Florida."

Snail kite population showing strain in dry years | The Invading Sea Kite numbers are down after back-to-back dry nesting seasons in Florida.

Paul Gray of Audubon Florida writes about "one of the most iconic birds" in the state, endangered snail kites: "In 2025, Florida experienced an abnormally dry spring and the University of Florida reported only 30 successful snail kite nests in the entire state."

Does Florida have too many dairy cows in the wrong places? | The Invading Sea The Florida Springs Institute studied how dairies contribute to pollution in north Florida groundwater and springs.

Robert L. Knight writes that the Florida Springs Institute recently studied north Florida dairies, finding that waste "from a relatively small number of dairies contribute about one-fourth of the total nitrogen load to the regional groundwater and springs."

A narrow window to restore local planning in Florida | The Invading Sea Senate Bill 840 would restore limited but essential planning authority to local governments after future storms.

Haley Busch of 1000 Friends of Florida writes about state bills affecting local authority over storm recovery and other planning decisions: "Florida’s growth, housing and resilience challenges are real, but they cannot be solved by sidelining local governments."

Warming climate puts future of Winter Olympics at risk  | The Invading Sea Just 52 of 93 potential host cities will have reliable conditions for the Winter Olympics by the 2050s, Climate Central reports.

With the Winter Olympics about to begin, a new Climate Central report covers the impact of climate change on the games. Only 52 out of 93 potential host cities will have reliable climate conditions for the Winter Olympics by the 2050s, the group reports.

Who protects Florida’s wetlands when federal protections fade? | The Invading Sea In the wake of the US Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA decision, Florida's laws matter more than ever.

"As federal protection for headwater wetlands and streams recedes, it is important to take a moment to recognize, reinforce and reaffirm Florida’s commitment to protecting these vital ecosystems," write University of Florida professors David A. Kaplan and Matthew J. Cohen.