Robert Mitchell

Robert Mitchell

- Board Member, Friends of the Everglades

- Campaign Leader, Stop The Burn/GO GREEN Initiative

- Co-Founder, Muck City BLM

- CEO/Founder, Muck City United Inc 

[EJ] Robert

Robert Mitchell, Board Member of Friends of the Everglades, Campaign Leader of Stop The Burn/GO GREEN Initiative Co-Founder of Muck City BLM/Muck City United

In South Florida, when the wind blows to the East toward the affluent, predominantly white communities, state law prohibits burning sugarcane simply because special protections were given to the East in 1992. When the wind blows to the West towards poorer, mostly Black and Brown communities, however, there are no such protections. This results in ash, which appears as black snow falling from the sky. This ash makes air dangerous to breathe, destroys homes, and covers buildings and roads with toxic chemicals. In addition to its effects on human health and visibility, this pollution decreases the real estate property values in Robert’s community.

The issue is near and dear to Robert, who was born in Pahokee and raised in Belle Glade. He has spoken out against pre-harvest sugarcane burning, aiming for an altogether ban. In the meantime, he urges Florida to establish a 27-30 mile burn-ban buffer to guarantee the safety of surrounding residents – and not just those living in predominantly white neighborhoods. He has joined NPCA in urging EPA to take action through Florida’s haze plan to better protect communities from industrial pollution.

[epa haze region] region 4 map

Sources of Haze Pollution in the Southeast

(Click image to enlarge)

When farmers burn sugarcane in the Everglades Agricultural Area, the smoke produces some of the worst days for air quality and visibility in the United States. The practice regularly hospitalizes members of Robert’s community during peak burning season, which stretches for six to eight months – with cumulative, consistent chemical-infused smoky days. In fact, recent studies by Florida State University found that one in six people in South Florida die prematurely each year because of exposure to pollution from sugarcane fires.

The good news is that EPA has the opportunity to hold Florida accountable on their Regional Haze State Implementation Plan to widen the scope of industrial sectors considered to include harmful agricultural practices like toxic sugarcane burning. In addition, EPA should require cuts in pollution to protect impacted communities and improve air quality and visibility across the state.

Air pollution knows no bounds, crossing state lines and affecting parks and wilderness areas hundreds of miles away. Ash falling from the sky puts wild places such as Everglades National Park at risk but most importantly, the families who call the tri-state area home, deserve clean air and clear skies.