Sign The Petition: Save Florida’s manatees from extinction

URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Help save Florida’s manatees from the greedy Big Cruise industry before it’s too late. [Take action now >>]( When you think of manatees, you likely picture chubby gray creatures slowly and peacefully floating along the Gulf Coast waters, seemingly without a care in the world. Affectionately referred to as “sea cows”, these gentle giants are one of the most beloved marine animals — known for their harmless, friendly demeanor and round chunky bodies. It’s hard to imagine these iconic creatures underweight, fragile and weak with their bones protruding through their skin. But sadly, that’s exactly what’s happening to Florida’s manatees right now because they are struggling to find seagrass to feed on. Without enough vital nutrients to keep them nourished, manatees are STARVING TO DEATH. And with so little fat to remain afloat, these helpless animals are even DROWNING TO DEATH, too. Manatees cannot survive without seagrass as their main food source — and cruise ship pollution is contributing to the decimation of this essential plant. For years, the greedy cruise industry has been contaminating the sensitive Florida waters with harmful toxic pollutants which can lead to disruption of manatee habitats, causing irreparable damage to seagrass beds. [We cannot let Big Cruise continue pushing manatees closer to EXTINCTION all for the sake of corporate profit. These precious animals are depending on us to be their voice, Friend, so please ACT NOW to help SAVE Florida’s manatees before it’s too late >>]( [SIGN THE PETITION]( The data is staggering and alarming, Friend. We’ve already lost 25% of the entire manatee population in the past TWO YEARS alone, totaling nearly 2,000 manatee deaths. And manatees aren’t the only ones who depend on seagrass. This important plant stores almost ⅕ of the whole world’s ocean carbon, playing a key role in our ecosystems by promoting healthy coastal communities and combating the impacts of climate change. But Big Cruise is more concerned with their bottom line than the fate of vulnerable manatees or the future of our oceans. In order to maximize profits, cruise companies are increasing ship traffic, size, and volume, all while carelessly dumping TOXIC wastewater and other HARMFUL contaminants, compromising Florida’s water quality and damaging fragile marine habitats. That’s why we’re urgently calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to take action and STOP Big Cruise’s dangerous ocean pollution. But if we’re going to apply enough public pressure to have a meaningful impact, we need you to be one of 1,406 activists who will speak up before our critical DEADLINE at 11:59 P.M. tonight. [Can we count on you to take action right away to protect manatees and our oceans from the cruise industry’s corporate greed? Add your name now >>]( [SIGN THE PETITION]( Your voice is critical to protecting manatees and our oceans, Friends of the Earth Contact Us: Friends of the Earth U.S. Washington, D.C. | Berkeley, CA 1-877-843-8687 [Contact us](foe.org/about-us/contact/) Email Preferences: [Click here to unsubscribe]( Learn more: www.foe.org/news www.foe.org/about-us www.foeaction.org Connect: [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Flickr]( © 2021, Friends of the Earth. All Rights Reserved. [supporter]