The manatees are starving

 

The ripple effects of climate change continue to wreak havoc on ecosystems and the animals that depend on them. In Florida, the beloved manatee, sometimes known as the sea cow, is dying off at alarming rates. Last year, the state of Florida lost 12% of its manatee population. And we know what's killing them: starvation. The manatee is an herbivore that relies on seagrass as the primary staple of its diet. The Florida manatee depends on the Indian River Lagoon, a watershed that stretches 156 miles north-south behind an Atlantic barrier beach off the Florida Coast, known as the Treasure Coast. But due to climate-driven warming, fertilizer pollution, and bottom sludge from Lake Okeechobee, the lagoon's watershed is suffering and the seagrass is being destroyed. And when the seagrass disappears, so does the beloved manatee. Unlike right whales, manatees with dense bones sink when they die. And that's exactly what we're seeing happen in real-time. Last year, we lost a record 1,100 manatees. This year, we've already lost 130. My cousin, Jim Moir, has already towed 23 dead manatees to the Stuart boat ramp, and it's only February! So, what can YOU do to help the starving manatees? Support local organizations like the Save the Manatee Club in Florida. The Save the Manatee Club is hard at work trying to rehabilitate starving manatees, and they're working with local partners on a major campaign to feed the Manatees lettuce as a supplement in the hopes it can aid their survival. Live in Florida or know someone who does? Floridians must reduce the use of fertilizer in their yards to restore the depleted seagrass. The runoff pollution from fertilizers feeds harmful algal blooms and kills the seagrass that manatees depend on. Every animal has a role to play in its ecosystem and our planet. We must do everything we can to protect animals like the Manatee and the ecosystems it depends on. Rob Moir Paid for and authorized by Global Warming Solutions IE PAC   This email was sent by Global Warming Solutions Email is an important way for Global Warming Solutions to keep supporters like you informed about critical issues and to build a winning grassroots campaign.  Questions or concerns? Contact us here. Global Warming Solutions P.O. Box 380349 Cambridge, MA 02238 United States