By Maya Shenefelt
Florida’s Apalachicola River, once a symbol of abundance and beauty, is now a battleground for our planet’s future. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) plans to approve a drilling permit for Clearwater Land & Minerals, a Louisiana-based company.
As a sophomore at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, I have fallen in love with the natural beauty of Leon County. Flawless ecosystems work together to create breathtakingly natural environments, from the beaches of St. George Island to the rivers of Apalachicola Bay.
Yet these same sacred ecosystems face enormous threats from climate change and proposals for future fossil fuel reliance, such as approving the construction of a pipeline through the delicate waters of Apalachicola Bay. As stewards of this land, we must address these threats before irreversible devastation strikes.
Florida is highly vulnerable to many aspects of the climate crisis. The rapid intensification of hurricanes, prolonged heat waves and extreme flooding are becoming more frequent in our state. Ecosystems like Apalachicola Bay are hit hard by these damaging climate impacts.
The fragile ecosystems of Apalachicola Bay can hardly sustain these current challenges, much less the addition of another pipeline through its waters. The risk of spills and mass disruption to delicate species and ecosystems will escalate if the drilling commences.
Florida’s economy is deeply intertwined with its environment; a perfect example is Apalachicola Bay. This bay once accounted for 10% of the nation’s oyster production. However, oyster production has declined severely in Apalachicola Bay due to previous oil spills and environmental degradation. In 2010, the bay produced over 10% of the nation’s oysters, and in 2020, production hit zero.
During my first semester as a freshman, I attended an educational field trip to a functioning oyster farm on Apalachicola Bay. At this farm, I realized the complexity of oyster production and the importance of oysters overall in maintaining ecological balance.
That same farm has diminished substantially in the 18 months since my visit. The impact of Hurricane Helene and the continuous assault from pollutants has pushed this oyster farm into despair. Overlooking pressing issues will only accelerate the destruction of such vital ecosystems, and the construction of this pipeline will exacerbate these losses, further threatening our environment and economy.
Along with the huge risks of constructing the pipeline, this project will set us back in our fight against climate change. Furthering our reliance on fossil fuels is not what Florida or the rest of the world needs; instead, we should focus on expanding clean energy solutions while not impacting marginalized communities. Rejecting the pipeline would symbolize opening pathways toward green jobs, clean energy and growing Florida as a leader in climate resilience.
I had the opportunity to rally alongside local business owners and activists from Apalachicola Bay last month to send a clear message to the DEP that the community does not want this project to commence.
Additionally, the effects of climate change are unjust. The construction of this pipeline will have far more impact on the most vulnerable than on other communities. These people will face higher exposure to water contamination, pollution and toxic spills.
As environmentalists, it is our duty to protect all communities affected by this short-sighted initiative. DEP’s mission statement states that the department “protects, conserves, and manages the state’s natural resources and enforces its environmental laws.”
I urge Gov. Ron DeSantis, leadership within DEP, and anyone involved: Kill the drill. We must reject this destructive pipeline and instead embrace Florida’s natural heritage.
Visit killthedrill.org to learn more and how to get involved.
Maya Shenefelt is a sophomore at Florida A&M University majoring in environmental studies. This opinion piece was originally published by the Tallahassee Democrat, which is a media partner of The Invading Sea. Banner photo: The Apalachicola River as seen from Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve (Chris M. Morris, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons).
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