Climate Change

It’s an enlightening - and alarming - explanation of the climate challenge we face here in Florida and around the world. Author Jeff Nesbit claims climate change is no far-off threat. It’s here now.

Wednesday on First Coast Connect we spoke with Jeff Nesbit, executive director of Climate Nexus and author of This Is The Way The World Ends: How Droughts and Die-offs, Heat Wave and Hurricanes are Converging on America (01:14).

Monday on First Coast Connect we spoke with Jacksonville Daily Record reporter David Cawton about his story on a federal lawsuit filed against Jacksonville-based Fanatics that accuses the company of racial discrimination and harassment (01:05).

As the world warms, populations of certain male reptiles are declining and that could spell extinction for alligators in the Sunshine State.

One University of North Florida scientist is hatching hundreds of gators to try and track the phenomenon.

Wednesday on First Coast Connect we spoke with climate scientist Dr. Peter Ward about an upcoming government report being prepared by the U.S. Global Change Research Program’s National Climate Assessment (01:08).

We discussed Teach for America and the issues surrounding education with Manager for Teacher Development John Grab and TFA alumni Lynette Jean (26:59) as Jacksonville commemorates the 10th anniversary of the organization.

ArtRepublic founder Jessica Santiago told us about some upcoming projects being planned for the area. (46:00). 

Wednesday on First Coast Connect we spoke with State Representative and Republican candidate for Attorney General Jay Fant (01:24).

UNF assistant professor of biology Dr. Mike Aspinwall told us about a recent study he participated in to examine how large trees in Australia are affected by climate change (33:08).

Researcher Dr. Jeremy Valdo told us the story of Rob the shark who was tagged by scientists and was recently tracked off the shore of Jacksonville (46:00).

Ninety-four percent of Floridians live in areas experiencing more extreme heat days a year, according to a new study published Tuesday by the Natural Resources Defense Council.  

Wednesday on “First Coast Connect” we heard how climate change affects storms like Hurricane Irma with Jacksonville University climatologist Jeff Martin (01:13). Ahead of the Ken Burns PBS documentary, “The Vietnam War,” we spoke with female veterans Rene Johnson and Margaret Yarborough (27:09). Our monthly First Coast Connect Book Club with Stacey Goldring featured the classic novel “Catch 22” (38:48) and University of North Florida Gallery of Art Coordinator Jim Draper talked about the gallery’s latest exhibit (45:09). 

St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Shaver addressed the U.S. Green Building Council Thursday in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry celebrated the end of a multi-million dollar project to rebuild area beaches after last fall’s Hurricane Matthew.

St. Petersburg is facing scrutiny over its recent decision to pump 20 million gallons of sewage from an overloaded treatment plant into Tampa Bay.

One national environmental organization is warning: similar overflows could become more common as the climate changes.

Tuesday on First Coast Connect, we discuss: Could recent severe weather be a sign of things to come? We also talk about how you can help the blind read printed books and a new art exhibit at the University of North Florida shows off fans' love for the band U2 in a unique way.