December, 24 2014, 09:30am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Tel: (520) 623.5252,Email:,center@biologicaldiversity.org
Florida Population Now Tops New York's, But Boom Is a Bust for Wildlife
Sunshine State Adding 800 People Per Day
MIAMI
Florida has surpassed New York to become the third-most populous state in the country, according to U.S. Census Bureau population estimates released today. The news comes as Florida's unique biodiversity faces increasing threats from habitat loss, urban sprawl and development, water withdrawals, sea-level rise and other effects of rapid human population growth in the region.
"From the amazing manatees at risk of death from boat strikes to the incredibly rare Miami tiger beetle threatened by yet another new Walmart, Florida's wildlife has felt the squeeze of the state's growth in the past year," said Stephanie Feldstein, the Center for Biological Diversity's Population and Sustainability director. "This latest landmark of growth should be cause for concern, not celebration. If Florida doesn't get its growth under control, it'll be a loss for wildlife and Florida residents."
According to U.S. Census Bureau figures, Florida adds an average of 803 residents every day. This year the state's population of 19.9 million people surpassed New York's population of 19.7 million. Florida's growing population -- which doubles every 20 years -- has overrun wildlife habitat and continues to bring multiple threats, including sea-level rise caused by climate change, beach degradation and pollution.
"Between condos, Walmarts, beach development and roads, Florida's wildlife is running out of room to run," said Feldstein. "Florida is a beautiful state, but it's risking losing its rich biodiversity forever."
Florida's unique natural landscape includes the last remaining pine rockland forest habitat, which is home to a range of species, among them two extremely rare butterflies; Florida bonneted bats; and recently rediscovered Miami tiger beetles. Unchecked growth has destroyed all but 2 percent of pine rockland habitat, part of which is currently threatened by a shopping mall featuring a Walmart and a new theme park.
There are a number of steps Florida can take to begin to address these problems, from improving access to family planning, contraception and reproductive healthcare to enhancing smart growth policies that protect habitat and coastal ecosystems, create room for species to move inland and embrace renewable energy and energy efficiency.
At the Center for Biological Diversity, we believe that the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence in our world of a vast diversity of wild animals and plants. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that species need to survive.
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Republican U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas on Tuesday again blocked the passage of House-approved bipartisan legislation meant to shield journalists and telecommunications companies from being compelled to disclose sources and other information to federal authorities.
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Trump has picked Harmeet Dhillon as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. She has stated that it must be "made unsafe" for hospitals to provide trans care, and frequently shares Libs of TikTok posts. She intends to target trans people in blue states. Subscribe to support my journalism.
[image or embed]
— Erin Reed (@erininthemorning.com) December 10, 2024 at 8:14 AM
Reed continued:
Dhillon's most prominent work includes founding the Center for American Liberty, a legal organization that focuses heavily on anti-transgender cases in blue states. The organization's "featured cases" section highlights several lawsuits, such as Chloe Cole's case against Kaiser Permanente; a lawsuit challenging a Colorado school's use of a transgender student's preferred name; a case against a California school district seeking to implement policies that would forcibly out transgender students; and a lawsuit against Vermont for denying a foster care license to a family unwilling to comply with nondiscrimination policies regarding transgender youth.
Reed also highlighted Dhillon's attacks on state laws protecting transgender people, as well as her expression of "extreme anti-trans views" on social media—including calling gender-affirming healthcare for trans children "child abuse."
Last year, The Guardian's Jason Wilson reported that the Center for American Liberty made a six-figure payment to a public relations firm that represented Dhillion in both "her capacity as head of her own for-profit law firm and Republican activist."
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