Cynthia Barnett, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Environmental Journalist-in-Residence, is the author of “Time to Reinvent Florida Once Again” published in Politico on Oct. 3.

Barnett writes about the heartbreaking images and human stories revealed after Hurricane Ian’s destruction along the southwest coast of Florida and the sense of loss for a vintage dream of family vacations, carefree beach combing and beautiful sunsets.

According to Barnett, “Florida is better understood as a place of constant reimagining, its new dream almost always born of disaster. As climate change and crowded coastlines amplify the risks of living here, the question becomes: What’s the next Florida dream?”

She adds, “The hard work ahead is to understand that the nightmare of Hurricane Ian is likely to spin into a new Florida dream, and to help make sure it is a better one. The questions involve not whether, but what form the dream takes. Can Florida get ahead of the land speculators to buy out Ian victims who want to sell and move? For those who want to stay, can we direct subsidies away from risky coastal construction and toward safe, sustainable communities in Florida’s interior?

“Safe and verdant inland communities. A wilder coastline with working waterfronts. They would surely include beach tourism. Given the times, we’re all going to need a carefree holiday,” writes Barnett.

Posted: October 11, 2022
Category: College News
Tagged as: Cynthia Barnett