Identifying Local Opportunities: Assignment 5

1.     “Flushed baby wipes will be a ‘big problem for us’ amid coronavirus outbreak”

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-coronavirus-toilets-clogged-20200320-z4re2ynwnvep7eq6bzabaghjva-story.html

This article discusses the problems that flushing baby wipes has on south Florida sewer pipes. The shortage of toilet paper has caused people to use alternative options in the restroom. In the end, there is also a list of items that should never be flushed. The lack of toilet paper is something that most of us have faced by now. Unfortunately, in south Florida, the sewer pipes are already having problems; so, the increased usage of baby wipes and paper towels is wreaking havoc on the sewer system. The public works officials are working hard to fix the problem, but it’s unlikely that the problem will fix itself overnight.

2.     “A very Florida problem: our cows are too hot”

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-ne-climate-hot-cows-20200314-7wp3cw5l3bh5vkosnldv3itnpa-story.html

This story actually talks about UF cattle. Climate change has forced cattle farmers to focus their research on finding way to make cattle more efficient. In Florida, this is a problem because our temperatures are almost unbearable in the summer, especially for animals with a fur coat. Florida cattle farmers are faced with this problem of climate change, but they are working to use genetics to find hybrid breeds that are more heat tolerant.

3.     “For a tiny village, a big problem. How does a chain of man-made islands survive sea rise?”

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-ne-mh-climate-tiny-village-fights-sea-level-rise-20191101-ekmzhcizyjfm3isogrdrcif4di-story.html

There is a little island community in Miami called North Bay Village. This private island has millions of real estate properties on the line. As sea levels rise, the man-made island could be in trouble. This is a problem for the homeowners on the island. Many are going to be forced to adapt and elevate their homes or businesses. It is going to be a huge cost—hundreds of thousands of dollars.

4.     “Fort Lauderdale seeks more hotel rooms for the homeless”

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-homeless-hotel-rooms-coronavirus-20200528-6owp2p4r5nf7fjej3yyhwvxzfa-story.html

This article talks about how the city of Fort Lauderdale is working to find housing for its homeless. The city is working with hotels to shelter the homeless during the coronavirus, but it’s an expensive task and the city is running out of money. Even in the article it states “these are not Fort Lauderdale’s homeless people. These are everyone’s homeless people”. This is a problem for everyone, but city officials are working hard to make sure they find rooms for the homeless.

5.     “Vaping-linked lung problems surfacing in Florida”

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/health/fl-ne-nsf-vaping-health-florida-20190910-d3hqp7s6jrhmlfuxml2w7ujmke-story.html

This story talks about the health ramifications of vaping. While manufacturing companies have said over and over again that their products and advertisements are aimed at adults, many young people are vaping. There appears to be an association between e-cigarettes and pulmonary injury. Vaping is a huge problem for young people that are lured into the addictive habit.

 

Comments

  1. UnknownJune 1, 2020 at 9:27 AM

    Cheplin,

    Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and the local opportunities that you found. I really enjoyed reading the article about the cows. I thought that was actually so interesting and knew nothing about that going on, so I am glad I got to learn something new! I too looked at many articles that surrounded the coronavirus pandemic as well and spoke about their effects on the economy and the opportunities that can come from this ongoing pandemic.
    Again, thank you for sharing!
    Best,
    Morgan Mowery

    ReplyDelete

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