Issues

The Climate Crisis is REAL, and in South Florida, we are ground zero for sea-level rise. While most politicians shy away from this topic, Elijah Manley will champion climate action because our quality of life and way of living are at risk. The cost of doing nothing is far greater than taking bold climate action now. Scientists have been ringing the alarm bell for years, warning us to get our act together, but politicians in both parties have failed to see the urgency of this issue.

The damning IPCC report from August 2021 was described as a “code red for humanity.” In 2022, they released another frightening report telling us that we are almost too late to act. If we don’t get our act together, we will see catastrophic sea-level rise, extreme heat, extreme drought, more weather disturbances, more intense and destructive hurricanes, and a lack of clean water, which will cause more global conflict and threaten our national security in the process. Elijah Manley supports:

A Ban on Fracking

We must ban hydraulic fracturing (a.k.a fracking) and all forms of offshore oil drilling.

A 100% carbon-free economy

We can invest in clean energy production and a clean energy power grid. In the process, we can create many good-paying jobs that will trickle into District 20. We need a 100% carbon-free economy as soon as possible.

Clean Air, Clean Water

Saltwater intrusion as a result of sea level rise threatens our safe, clean drinking water supply. Our water is also at risk because of risky agricultural industry practices, including bad business practices from the sugar industry. The Biscayne Aquifer is the clean drinking water supply for more than 6 million people in South Florida. Furthermore, wildfires in the Everglades and across Florida threaten our air quality. In Congress, Elijah will:

• Seek funding to harden our infrastructure against hurricanes, flooding, and other natural disasters

• Advocate for funding for Everglades restoration

• Advocate for funding for stormwater and canal management

• Work with federal agencies such as the EPA to strengthen environmental regulations

• Increase funding for federal agencies focused on water management and environmental protection

Heat & Climate Resilience

In Congress, Elijah Manley will urge the federal government to establish and invest in a National Climate Health Corps to prepare hospitals, clinics, schools, and other essential entities for extreme heat, wildfires, hurricanes, and other climate events. Furthermore, Elijah will advocate for a requirement that all infrastructure projects must have climate resilience planning measures.

Protect our Everglades

The vast majority of District 20 is the Florida Everglades. Elijah Manley seeks a ban on oil drilling in the Everglades and will work with tribal leaders and stakeholders to advocate for a ban on drilling in the Big Cypress National Preserve. Furthermore, big sugar pollution threatens the Everglades and our waters, and stricter regulation is needed to ensure that our everglades aren't a dumping ground for the sugar industry. Here are Elijah’s promises:

• Support the enforcement of stricter limits on phosphorus and nitrogen runoff from industrial agriculture

• No More taxpayer subsidies for polluters

• Hold corporations and agriculture accountable for clean-up costs as a result of their business practices

• Expand buffer zones between sugarcane fields and wetlands.

• To secure full funding from the state and federal levels for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).

• Support the restoration of wetlands and water flow; support the rehydration of natural marshes.

• Fight highway expansion into the Everglades

• Partner with the Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes

• Crackdown on illegal wildlife habitat destruction and support prosecution and stricter sentences