Posted on 02/18/2019 5:10:06 AM PST by rktman
I stood behind a worn shopping center outside of Crystal Springs, Florida, looking for the refuge where a hundred manatees were gathered for winter. I found them clustered in the emerald-colored spring, trying to enjoy a wedge of sunlight and avoid the hordes of people like me, boxing them in on kayaks and tour boats, leering over wooden decks. The nearby canals were lined with expensive homes and docks with jetskis. One manatee breached the water for a breath, and I could see the propeller scar on its back.
2018 was the second deadliest year on record for manatees. Like many of our coastal species, they’re vulnerable to habitat loss and warming seas, which are more hospitable to algal blooms and red tide. Science has given us the foresight we need to make decisions that will reduce the future suffering of other species and ourselves, but we don’t heed it. Why?
Studies show that humans don’t respond well to abstract projections. We overvalue short-term benefits, such as driving SUVs, burning coal and building waterfront real estate. We choose these extravagances even though they impede beneficial long-term outcomes, such as saving threatened species, or reducing the intensity of climate change.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
I love Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park! It's a small, very informative animal / nature park that does seem to take very good care of manatees and other "Florida native" animals there (except for Lu the Hippo, lol. He's definitely not native to Florida).
We used to visit Homosassa often when my in-laws lived near the park. Unfortunately they moved out of the area, so we haven't been there in 5-6 years.
I'm envious... I would love to do that! :-)
GOREBAL WARMING!!!!
Florida is drowning!
Oh, the humanatee.
I see what you did there...
Been there, seen them.
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