Faced with the damage caused by developers and the agro-industrial sector for decades, Florida’s fragile nature is gradually regaining its rights. But today, it faces a new threat: sea-level rise, driven by climate change, which threatens Everglades National Park. Indeed, the Everglades have not really seen their water flow for about 70 years as human activities have gradually blocked the fresh water flowing from the gigantic Okeechobee Lake to southern Florida. Last year, smelly algae covered part of the coastline with bright green mud and swimmers were ordered to stay out of the water due to the presence of harmful bacteria, and about one-third of the original Everglades area – which occupied 1.2 million hectares – was transformed into agricultural areas and a 600,000 hectare national park was created.
On the other hand, the diversion of water from the Okeechobee River – which is also heavily polluted by agriculture – has increasingly serious consequences, particularly in the eastern and western parts of the state. In addition to all this, the 141 species of reptiles and amphibians, 250 species of fish, 498 species of birds, and 1,500 species of vertebrates may disappear as a result of global warming. And that’s only part of the problem! Indeed, animals that have been introduced into the Everglades like the python (a snake that is more than 5 meters long) are increasingly found in urban areas where they disrupt the daily lives of humans. This exodus of wild animals from their homes to the city disrupts public safety.
Pushed further and further by the expansion of urban space, some wild animals are now reinvesting the city centers. This urban migration is not without risks and requires a rethinking of
As a result, the fight against global warming must not be the only initiative of governments and companies, but also of citizens. Simple daily actions can reduce greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change and breathe new life into the Everglades.