Famous and the Not-So-Famous Environmentalists
What do Robert Redford, Al Gore, David Rockefeller, and Brad Sewell have in common? They are famous environmentalists that have contributed greatly to the protection of our natural resources. These famous environmentalists use their own means to advance protection of this planet. Robert Redford and David Rockefeller contribute funds, land, and their names to environmental causes. Al Gore raises awareness through his various campaigns, books, and his documentary. Brad Sewell contributes his astute legal finesse to develop effective strategies. These famous environmentalists should always be on the same side of a resource conservation issue, but this was not the case for Al Gore and Brad Sewell during the eight-year battle to decide the fate of the former Homestead Air Force Base.
Everglades Betrayal – The Issue that Defeated Al Gore begins with Hurricane Andrew’s destruction of the Homestead Air Force Base and ends with the unbelievable outcome of the 2000 presidential election. In between these events are famous environmentalists and not-so-famous environmentalists working at cross-purposes. Al Gore needed to win in Florida to secure the presidency, and an endorsement by the revered Latin-American mayor of Miami-Dade County would have cinched it. His dilemma was that the mayor wanted to build the airport in proximity to two national parks, and Everglades Betrayal describes how it played out.
Famous environmentalists from the past, like Herbert Hoover and Marjory Stoneman Douglas, worked tirelessly to see that the national parks were protected, so it was devastating to see famous environmentalist Al Gore undecided on the airport issue. Even John McCain opposed the development of a commercial airport, although he may not have known it at the time. He introduced a bill designed to curtail noisy touring flights over the Grand Canyon by requiring implementation of minimum altitudes, flight corridors, and curfews over national parks. No one knows if disillusioned environmental protectors registered their discontent with Al Gore by voting for someone else, however, in Florida every third party candidate earned more votes than the number that separated Al Gore from George Bush.
Does Al Gore deserve to be regarded among the famous environmentalists? Readers of Everglades Betrayal will form their own opinions and may, as a result, also join the ranks of famous environmentalists.
Everglades Betrayal– The Issue that Defeated Al Gore is now available to you online.
