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We’ve made a mess, and now it’s time to fix it.

These are the unspoken mandates of Everglades conservation organizations working to restore healthy freshwater flow through the Sunshine State.

Water is life for planet and people. Therefore, when its flow is interrupted or cut off, there are dire consequences.

History of Water Flow

Freshwater at the south of Lake Okeechobee beginning its southward flow. 6381380 / iStock / Getty Images Plus

In Florida, freshwater from Lake Okeechobee in the middle of the state naturally flowed south through the Everglades and into Florida Bay and the present-day Florida Keys. In doing so, it nourished entire ecosystems.

According to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), farms and communities developed around the lake in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Catastrophic hurricanes in 1926 and 1928 caused millions in damage and deaths by flooding, prompting the government to step in to control the water.

The Army Corps of Engineers built a series of canals to severely restrict how much water flows through the state. Instead of coming south through the Everglades, most is now discharged east and west, through concrete sloughs dredged for this specific purpose.

The result has been catastrophic for this ecosystem that evolved around the flow of water. One of the most invisible harms is hypersalinity.

Hypersalinity Is Getting Worse

“In general, hypersalinity refers to the salinity in a coastal water body,” explained Steve Davis, the chief science officer at The Everglades Foundation. “Ocean salinity is roughly 35 parts per thousand (ppt). If you’ve ever swam in the ocean and tasted it, you know what that is. When salt content gets higher than that of the ocean, we call it hypersalinity.”

Florida Bay is a body of water that sits south of Everglades National Park, thereby receiving any freshwater flows through that ecosystem. It’s flanked by saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. As such, it’s naturally a brackish environment.

A Florida Bay drone shot in 2022 shows the difference between algae blooms and clear water. The Everglades Foundation

Unfortunately, because of the restricted water flows through the state, Florida Bay currently receives less than half of its historical freshwater flows. “It’s all driven by water balance, and we changed the plumbing,” Davis explained. “It’s a wetland. If you deprive a wetland of water, especially freshwater, it’s going to have implications on the habitat and the ecology of the system in general.”

Basically, because of our water controls at Lake Okeechobee, Florida Bay, an 849 square mile area is becoming hypersaline more often and more intensely than ever before. Freshwater, like the water in Lake Okeechobee, has a salinity of zero. Ocean water typically has a salinity index of 35 ppt and historically, a healthy brackish Florida Bay might have had an index of 40. Florida Bay’s waters get trapped and evaporate in the shallow estuary, leaving salt behind. This is how the salinity of the bay begins to increase. Additionally, since rainfall helps to bring the salinity down, drought years exacerbate the effects. And, without freshwater coming down through the Everglades, there’s nothing to flush the system.

Steve Davis takes stock of the massive seagrass dieoff of 2017 following a hypersalinity event. The Everglades Foundation

Now, add in our disruptions to the natural flow of water from Lake Okeechobee, exacerbated by droughts and climate change. All this has caused Florida Bay’s salinity to reach up to 70 to 80 ppt – more than double that of the ocean, Davis lamented. In fact, we’re now at the point where average rainfall still results in salinity higher than the ocean, he said.

“This is devastating to the ecology and fisheries of Florida Bay,” Davis said. Effects he’s witnessed have been massive seagrass die offs and intense blooms of toxic algae. “It’s the downward spiral of the entire ecosystem. It goes from clear water to something that looks like pea soup.”

Green algae discharges from Lake Okeechobee show an ecosystem in decline. The Everglades Foundation

Heat Is a Double Whammy

That’s not all. Florida’s summers are notoriously, record-breakingly hot. In summer 2023, the heat disrupted the entire marine ecosystem and killed swaths of Florida’s already fragile coral reef.

“The combo of heat and hypersalinity is what is most devastating to the bay,” Davis said. “Hot, salty water doesn’t hold much oxygen, and oxygen is essential to the health of the bay and to large fish species that are highly coveted by anglers.”

Luckily, good rainfall and more freshwater flow through the current Everglades restoration of the Tamiami Trail prevented a hypersalinity event during the heatwave. But what happens during a drought?

Restoration and Combating Climate Change

“What Everglades restoration does is to push back against all that and keep those areas functioning as brackish areas, rather than hypersaline areas,” Davis explained.

The Everglades Foundation was formed to “replumb South Florida” and get water from Lake Okeechobee flowing south again, Davis said. A comprehensive Everglades restoration plan passed in the year 2000, and the Foundation’s role ever since has been to implement it. This involves constructing major infrastructure projects to free the flow.

The key project is an Everglades agricultural reservoir to be built south of Lake Okeechobee. “That’s the one that really does heavy lifting to get water south,” Davis said.

The above-ground reservoir full of freshwater would act as “drought insurance for the ecosystem” much like a rain barrel. During drier times, water could be used to water plants and agricultural lands and be sent south through the Everglades to Florida Bay.

By design, it will be a polluted reservoir because it’s taking in Lake Okeechobee’s “toxic slime” water and agricultural runoff from nearby sugar fields. Wetlands for treatment will surround the reservoir to help get that water clean before it’s used or sent south. These are engineered, highly managed wetlands, Davis explained. “If you stand in the middle of one, you’d think it was the Everglades. But it’s managed through soils, vegetation and how water flows through them to maximize the removal of pollutants – and especially phosphorus, which is our primary pollutant.”

As an important byproduct, the treatment wetlands will also sequester large amounts of phosphorus and carbon, helping to combat the climate crisis.

A comparison of historical, current and restored freshwater flow through Florida. The Everglades Foundation

Threats to Drinking Water

“It’s our water supply also,” Davis said. “We can’t forget that. Fundamentally, healthy Everglades are also responsible for providing our clean, daily freshwater supply.”

He’s talking about saltwater intrusion, a phenomenon already happening in South Florida. Sea level rise causes water to intrude deeper inland through the state’s limestone foundations. With no freshwater coming down the state to refresh underground aquifers, there’s no pressure asserted to keep these waters at bay. Saltwater is already penetrating into the Everglades and the Biscayne Aquifer, the state’s main drinking water supply.

Therefore, increasing freshwater flow would help to irrigate the entirety of South Florida, ensure that Florida Bay and nearshore habitats in the Florida Keys don’t become too saline, and protect the water supply. That’s a triple win.

Restoration Is a Good Investment

At Crocodile Point, healthy seagrass is visible through clear water in 2022. The Everglades Foundation

The Army Corps of Engineers broke ground on the reservoir project in 2023. It’s projected to be a multibillion-dollar project, but the economic benefits will measure well beyond that, experts believe. “We commissioned a study in 2010 that showed, conservatively, that Everglades Restoration delivers a 4-to-1 return on investment,” Davis said. “That’s enormous!”

Just how much money is that? About $20 billion worth, experts believe, if we follow today’s Everglades restoration plan.

Opposition and Stakes

Sugar cane fields are watered near the coast of Lake Okeechobee in Pahokee, Florida. Marc Serota / Getty Images

The main opponent of the reservoir is Big Sugar. Three industrial sugar giants filed a lawsuit to stop construction because “they think that water belongs to them,” Davis said. All their claims were denied, and they each appealed. The case remains before the Court of Appeals.

According to Kelly Cox, Audubon Florida’s director of Everglades policy, “If Sugar wins their appeal on this, they will hold hostage significant volumes of water that should be sent south to Florida Bay. They don’t even use all the water they are already allocated, and they’re asking for more!”

“Everglades restoration is one of our biggest opportunities to build resiliency in South Florida,” Cox said. “With increasing climate threats to our communities, economy, health, and environment, restoration helps us sequester carbon, safeguards drinking water supplies, reduces storm impacts, and supports industries that rely on a healthy and thriving River of Grass.”

The post Restoring Florida Everglades Depends Upon Fixing State’s Freshwater Flow, Conservationists Say appeared first on EcoWatch.

https://www.ecowatch.com/florida-everglades-restoration-freshwater-conservation.html

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Green Living

Earth911 Inspiration: Complex Is the New Normal

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1 day ago

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May 15, 2026

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Today’s quote is from author Ken Webster and philanthropist Ellen MacArthur: “Ordered, complex, intertwined mutually interdependent systems are the new normal.”

Humanity is learning to mimic nature. As we embrace complexity, humanity can evolve new solutions to providing itself food, shelter, and waste elimination.

Ken Webster wrote The Circular Economy: A Wealth of Flows, which was edited by Ellen MacArthur, founder of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a charity committed to creating a circular economy.

Earth911 inspirations. Post them, share your desire to help people think of the planet first, every day.

"Ordered, complex, intertwined mutually interdependent systems are the new normal." -- Ken Webster and Ellen MacArthur

This poster was originally published on June 21, 2019.

The post Earth911 Inspiration: Complex Is the New Normal appeared first on Earth911.

https://earth911.com/living-well-being/earth911-inspiration-complex-is-the-new-normal/

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My Weekly Meal Planning System That Prevents Food Waste

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2 days ago

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May 14, 2026

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Last Updated on May 14, 2026

Meal planning is a great way to reduce both packaging waste and food waste, because you’re thinking ahead. It can also help keep grocery costs down because you’re actively planning the menu for the week, not making impulse buys.

But a lot of people (myself included) fail at it for one simple reason: We’re thinking about meals and not ingredients.

My Weekly Meal Planning System That Prevents Food Waste

For example, if my meal plan says Tuesday is lasagna night, how will I know if I’m still craving that by Tuesday? Keeping a flexible meal plan will help you succeed.

Once you have a meal plan you love, you can get to actually prepping your ingredients for the week. Here’s how I create a weekly meal planning system that I can actually stick to. Bonus? My tips for actual meal prep!

meal planning vs. prepping

Lets first take a moment to separate these two terms, as I’ll be talking about both.

Meal planning is simply the act of planning out what you’ll eat for the week. This can be in regards to your breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even snacks.

Meal prepping is when you cook your food for the week in advance. If you’d like to meal prep, it’s a good idea to have a meal plan. However, you don’t have to meal prep to meal plan.

Both help you save money and reduce waste in the long run. For example, lets say you want carrot soup on the menu this week. Knowing the ingredients you need to make it helps you stick to a grocery budget. Plus, you can save even more by using up whatever’s already in your fridge!

RELATED: How I Cut My Grocery Bill to $300 a Month

My Weekly Meal Planning System That Prevents Food Waste

meal planning

how do you create a meal plan?

The first step is to make a master list of all of your favorite recipes. The ones that you love, the ones your family loves, and most importantly – the ones you know how to cook.

Here are a few of my favorites for inspiration:

  • Shepherds Pie
  • Burgers
  • Mac & Cheese
  • Quesadillas
  • Fajitas
  • Chicken/Eggplant Parm
  • Lasagna
  • Fried Rice
  • Beef/Mushroom and Broccoli
  • Cheese Steak/Balsamic Mushroom Subs
  • Sloppy Lentil Joes
  • Caeser Salad

You can write these on a notepad, on your phone, or on the computer. Refer to this master list whenever you’re planning meals for the week – and don’t be afraid to add meals to it over time.

It’s also a good idea to jot down some of your favorite breakfasts, lunches, and snacks – not just dinner. This will help you better plan your grocery haul for the week ahead.

Try to stick to one particular day to grocery shop every week – be it on Tuesday nights or Saturday mornings. Whatever works for you.

You’ll want to check the calendar and make sure there’s no upcoming events in the week ahead. This will keep you aware which nights you won’t be cooking.

You may also want to factor in weather and seasons – for example, I love eating soup on cold days! But hot days, I’d prefer something lighter, like a tofu stir fry.

Now comes the fun part – actually writing your meals for the week! Make sure you have that master list of recipes you made on hand, then start jotting down what dinners you’d like to eat.

You don’t have to set specific days for when you serve these meals, unless you want to. Feel free to shuffle the meals around, depending on what you’re in the mood for.

Next, make a grocery list based on the meals you’ve written down. You can organize the list into sections of produce, pantry, protein, etc.

For me, proteins will include beans, lentils, seitan and hummus. And for produce, I always try to stick to what’s currently in season – like sweet potatoes in the fall, lettuce in the summer.

Once you’ve done your shopping, you can come home and prep a few items to make your life easier during the week. For example, if one of your recipes calls for kale, having it washed, chopped, and properly stored will make it super easy to add into your cooking.

My Weekly Meal Planning System That Prevents Food Waste

what about breakfast, lunches and snacks?

For me, breakfast, lunch and snacks are often more consistent than dinner. I could eat a sandwich every single day and be happy.

Peanut butter and jelly with chips was my go-to lunch from elementary to high school. So I’ve decided to lean into that, focusing on simple breakfasts and lunches that keep me full.

Knowing what you like to eat is a good place to start! I love high protein yogurt jars for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, sliced apples, hummus, and chopped veggies for snacks.

If I don’t prep these items ahead of time, I have a bad habit of waiting until 2PM to eat. Which leads to really poor food choices. 

If you’re also like this, chances are meal planning and prepping doesn’t have to just begin and end with dinner.  

Figure out what it is you struggle with most before deciding which foods, ingredients, and meals to prep for the week. Ask yourself what would be more convenient to have ready to grab-and-go: breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks? Perhaps a combo of the four? 

Your job and schedule can also influence this decision. For example, if you’re working from home, you may have more time to whip up breakfast than someone who needs to be at work at 8AM. 

My Weekly Meal Planning System That Prevents Food Waste

meal prepping

I personally like to meal prep ingredients instead of meals to give myself freedom and reduce waste. This helps get food on the table fast.

And always check your fridge and pantry before grocery shopping. Try planning your menu around what’s already available, then grocery shop for the rest of the ingredients you’ll need to complete each dish.   

I recommend dedicating 2-3 hours a week to meal prep. You can make it fun by turning on the TV, listening to music or a podcast. For me, meal prepping means peeling and chopping carrots, washing and cooking my vegetables, etc.

However, feel free to make full-on meals if you know you won’t have time otherwise. I’ll do this with my breakfast yogurt jars, veggie sandwiches, and snacks on a Sunday afternoon.

Setup glass snapware to contain whatever it is you’re making, and always ask yourself if you have a carb, a protein, a fat, and fiber. This will keep your meals balanced and help you stay full longer.

And if you’re short on time, just focus on getting your vegetables all washed, chopped, and stored in glass containers. No need to cook anything. This will make your life so much easier when you go to cook after a long day at work.

mistakes to avoid

Here are a few mistakes to avoid when it comes to meal planning and prep:

  • Not checking your weekly schedule first.
  • Using containers that don’t seal or close properly.
  • Making cuisines and recipes outside your comfort zone / your family’s preferences.
  • Making servings too big or too small.
  • Trying to do it all (maybe start out by prepping just one or two meals for the week instead of all 5 days)
My Weekly Meal Planning System That Prevents Food Waste

how to keep it budget-friendly

Definitely work with what’s in season! I find that shopping for tomatoes in summer tends to be cheaper than in winter, because there’s an abundance of them. 

Always try to prioritize local farmers markets and CSA boxes whenever possible. You can also try growing your own produce, joining a local community garden, or even just doing an herb container garden to save money.

Also, shopping at low-cost grocery stores or farmers markets can help cut costs. Looking for discounts, coupons, and sales is also ideal.

I love shopping the discount section of my grocery store – sometimes they’ll have imperfect produce at half price, and I always scoop that up first.

You’ll want to also prioritize what’s in your fridge already, and what’s about to go bad. Have some sad looking celery? Toss it into a soup for the week. Stale bread? French toast casserole it is for breakfast.

And factor in leftovers too! If you have some rice that needs to be used up, make sure to prioritize a dish in the beginning of the week that requires it.

That goes double for food scraps – don’t toss out all your vegetable ends and peels. You may be able to make them work overtime by making veggie stock for your meal prepping!

You may also be surprised at what’s edible – like beet tops, carrot tops and celery leaves. Here are some other recipes to help you reduce food waste.

benefits of meal prep

There are so many benefits to meal prepping, but the biggest one is peace of mind. You don’t have to think about what you’ll eat every single day, because half (or all!) the work is done for you.

And, if you’re checking your pantry and fridge before meal prep, you’re probably reducing a lot of food waste. Because you’re going to prioritize using up what you have.

Some more benefits to meal prepping include:

  • Big time saver.
  • Helps prevent drive thru or take out orders because you have food at your fingertips.
  • You’ll know exactly what goes into your food.
  • Zero waste food, so little to no waste.

Prefer video content? Check out my tips for crushing meal prep below!

What are your meal planning and prepping tips? Let me know in the comments!

The post My Weekly Meal Planning System That Prevents Food Waste appeared first on Going Zero Waste.

My Weekly Meal Planning System That Prevents Food Waste

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Green Living

Best of Sustainability In Your Ear: Algenesis & Blueview Launch the Algae-Based Polyurethane Industry

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3 days ago

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May 13, 2026

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Travel back in time to hear the origin story of Algenesis, which started as two companies in one, a biotechnology innovator and footwear maker. Today, the company is a leading maker of bio-based plastics. In 2023, Algenesis had just begun making a new, sustainable material and found a clever way to prove its utility to get big companies to embrace it. Join the conversation hear why a shoe company was the best a practical application to prove the value of a plant-based, compostable bioplastic foam. Stephen Mayfield, a professor of Biology at UC San Diego and director of the California Center for Algae Biotechnology, invented Soleic, an algae-based rubbery foam material that can be used in footwear, surfboards, and other products in the place of petroleum-based polyurethane foam. He launched Algenesis, a biotechnology-based materials science company to commercialize Soleic.

Steve Mayfield and Tom Cooke, CEO and president, respectively, of Algenesis Materials and Blueview Footwear
Steve Mayfield and Tom Cooke, CEO and president, respectively, of Algenesis Materials and Blueview Footwear, are our guests on Sustainability in Your Ear.

Note: This article contains affiliate links that help fund our Recycling Directory, the most comprehensive in North America.

But shoe companies did not come running to use Soleic, which biodegrades completely in sea water and compost piles. Along with Algenisis president Tom Cooke, a footwear and apparel industry veteran who had worked for Reef and Vans, Steve launched Blueview Footwear, maker of the world’s first compostable shoe. Steve and Tom join me today to talk about the evolution of Algenesis and Blueview, as well as the many materials Soleic could replace across a variety of product categories. The companies have also developed compostable, plant-based fabrics and a bioplastic waterproofing technology that biodegrades into organic material in a home compost pile. You can learn more about Blueview Footwear at blueviewfootwear.com and its parent company Algenesis Materials at algenesismaterials.com.

Editor’s Note: This podcast originally aired on February 20, 2023.

The post Best of Sustainability In Your Ear: Algenesis & Blueview Launch the Algae-Based Polyurethane Industry appeared first on Earth911.

https://earth911.com/podcast/earth911-podcast-algenesis-blueview-launch-the-algae-based-polyurethane-industry/

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