Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Good morning! Like everybody else, we’re focused first on the heat this morning, both the why of it and the how to cope. We then turn to the Okefenokee and what the Trump administration’s recently announced withdrawal from UNESCO will mean for its World Heritage Site bid. Finally, we look at the latest developments in the struggle over zoning on Sapelo. Stay cool, everybody.
Questions, tips or concerns? Send me a note at mary.landers@thecurrentga.org
NEWS: ENVIRONMENT
It’s hot, stay safe
Human-caused climate change is having a measurable impact on temperatures in Savannah. The Climate Shift Index developed by the nonprofit Climate Central shows Tuesday’s warmth was made at least three times more likely due to climate change.
Days like this are more common now because of higher temperatures driven by carbon pollution. In fact, Savannah’s summer nighttime average temperatures have risen by more than 2 degrees since 1970.
As Coastal Georgians sweat through this week, we’re featuring tips to avoid heat-related illness from a College of Charleston professor of public health. Heat-related illnesses occur across a spectrum, with mild heat stress quickly progressing to life-threatening heat stroke if a person is exposed to dangerous conditions for too long, writes Brian Bossak in The Conversation. One tip that was news to us: Fans can become dangerous if used in indoor temperatures of 95 degrees or above.
NEWS: ENVIRONMENT
World Heritage bid still viable
The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it will withdraw from UNESCO, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, citing an ideological agenda for international development that is at odds with the “America First” foreign policy. In Coastal Georgia, the withdrawal raised immediate questions about the fate of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge’s bid to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kim Bednarek, the executive director of the nonprofit Okefenokee Swamp Park, who has been shepherding the project, remains confident that this ecological treasure of Georgia will yet gain its worldwide recognition. History backs her up, as The Current’s Mary Landers reports.
NEWS: COURTS
Sapelo lawsuit
Nine Sapelo Island landowners and McIntosh County are locked in a lawsuit over zoning ordinances that allow houses on the island to be up to 3,000 square feet, doubling the previous limit. The plaintiffs argue that the change will increase property taxes and continue long-standing efforts to push Gullah-Geechee descendants off the island. In its latest move Friday, the county sought to dismiss the lawsuit, saying it’s past the statute of limitations. The case awaits a judge’s decision, as The Current’s Domonique King reports.
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Also noted
- The Georgia Environmental Protection Division held public comment sessions last week about draft pretreatment permits for two Hyundai-related wastewater streams, The Savannah Morning News reports. Hyundai was previously cited for failing to properly pretreat its wastewater, and was fined by EPD. The Ogeechee Riverkeeper criticized the draft permits on a number of points, including its allowance of self reporting by the car and battery companies and a lack of PFAS monitoring. Read the Riverkeeper’s comments here.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is closing the Office of Research and Development, which analyzes dangers posed by a variety of hazards, including toxic chemicals, climate change, smog, wildfires, indoor air contaminants, water pollution, watershed destruction and drinking water pollutants, NPR reports. The office also manages grant programs that fund universities and private companies. One of ORD’s 11 facilities is located in Athens.
- The Ogeechee Riverkeeper is launching a members-only book club, starting in August. The group will meet virtually once a month to discuss books that focus on nature, water, the outdoors, and more. The titles alternate between fiction and nonfiction, and vary in tone and style. The book club will offer guided questions and occasional special guests. For a list of selected books and information on how to participate see https://www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/book-club/
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How to stay safe during heat waves
Heat-related illnesses can quickly progress to life-threatening heat stroke, so it is important to recognize the warning signs and take steps to stay cool, such as drinking fluids, finding shade, and using cool, damp cloths to lower body temperature.
Judge hears arguments in Sapelo zoning lawsuit
Sapelo Island residents are suing McIntosh County over new zoning ordinances that allow houses to be up to 3,000 square feet, arguing that it will increase property taxes and displace Gullah-Geechee descendants, and the case awaits a judge’s decision on whether it will go to trial.
Okefenokee’s bid to become UNESCO World Heritage site still viable
The Trump administration has announced that it will withdraw from UNESCO. However, this does not mean that the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge will lose its opportunity to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as membership in UNESCO is not necessary for a country’s site to be elevated to the World Heritage list.
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