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the Everglades Florida's iconic wetland
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is far more than just a tourist
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attraction this vast ecosystem plays a
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crucial role in the state's
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environmental and economic health with
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implications that extend to rising
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insurance premiums and the future of the
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Florida Keys the health of the
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Everglades is directly linked to the
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well-being of the Florida Keys florida
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Bay which separates the mainland from
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the Keys relies on fresh water flowing
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from the Everglades to maintain proper
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salinity levels when this flow is
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disrupted it can lead to devastating
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consequences in 2015 a major seaggrass
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die-off occurred affecting over 40,000
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acres this event triggered a chain
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reaction causing fish populations to
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plummet and negatively impacting tourism
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and local economies restoring the
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Everglades is not just an environmental
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imperative it's a sound economic
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investment the Everglades Foundation
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reports that every dollar invested in
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restoration yields about $4 in economic
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benefits these benefits come from
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avoiding costs associated with extreme
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events like droughts and floods as well
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as supporting industries that depend on
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a healthy ecosystem the insurance
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industry is taking note of these
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restoration efforts florida's natural
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features such as mangroves and coral
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reefs play a significant role in
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reducing storm surge impacts the
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Everglades alone contribute over $5
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billion annually in reduced risks under
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the National Flood Insurance Program
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without proper restoration insurance
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premiums could skyrocket in already
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strained markets several major
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restoration projects are already
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underway the transformation of the
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Tamiami Trail is one such project
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originally built as a daml-like road in
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the 1920s it blocked the natural
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southward flow of water now with over 3
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and 1/2 m of elevated bridges water can
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once again flow freely benefiting the
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perhaps the most ambitious project is
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the Everglades agricultural area
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reservoir this $3.9 billion
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infrastructure project aims to clean and
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store billions of gallons of polluted
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runoff before releasing it into the
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Everglades once operational it will help
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prevent harmful algae blooms and restore
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essential freshwater flow to Florida Bay
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and the Keys despite the clear benefits
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restoration efforts face significant
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challenges projects of this scale take
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time and climate change adds an element
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of unpredictability currently over 40%
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of Florida is experiencing drought
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conditions funding is another major
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hurdle with some taxpayers questioning
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the value of such expensive projects
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there's also ongoing tension between
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agricultural interests environmental
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advocates and urban developers the
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restoration of the Everglades is not a
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distant concern it directly affects
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flidians in numerous ways from
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potentially lower flood insurance
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premiums to the availability and cost of
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seafood the health of this ecosystem has
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implications investing in the Everglades
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is an investment in Florida's future
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helping to mitigate the impacts of
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storms and sea level rise while
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supporting the state's economy the
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lessons from events like the seaggrass
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die- off are clear delays in restoration
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only increase both financial and
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by supporting and prioritizing these
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restoration efforts Flidians can help
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ensure a more resilient and prosperous
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future for their state thank you for
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tuning in to our latest segment of
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Insurance News we truly value your time
3:38
and interest in staying informed about
3:40
the complex and evolving world of
3:44
insurance we'd love to hear your
3:46
thoughts on Everglades health and how
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it's influencing the fragile insurance
3:51
industry in the region your insights can
3:53
add valuable perspective as we continue
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to explore this important topic
