Everglades-Much Less Sugar, More Stored Water

Technocrat

Everglades-Much Less Sugar, More Stored Water

zogger

Tue Jun 24 20:24:00 -0700 2008

Environment.

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The US largest sugar producer is selling out, all 300 square miles of their operations in south Florida, to the state for a tentative $1.7 billion, so that the lands can convert to critical wetlands, the "sponge" that the Everglades need to be to help with water and environmental issues. The deal, details still being negotiated, would allow farming for six more years.

" The land would be used to help restore a more natural flow to the wetlands that has been stymied for years by agriculture and development. Farming in the region has long been considered a hindrance to restoration, contributing fertilizers and pollutants to the wetlands, and blocking its natural flow patterns." ed.z.: I have seen a small part of their operation, and that is some of the blackest dirt you'll ever see anyplace. They use some *huge* ag equipment. It will be interesting to see how they eventually restore it to pure swamp. I guess just let it go, it will grow over quickly. It really is an amazing deal, not everyday a big corporation just goes out of business completely in a situation like this. Especially now with the demand for sugar sure to be going up.

Everglades-Much Less Sugar, More Stored Water

Scott Drake

Tue Jun 24 22:01:38 -0700 2008
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Mmm... Sugar.

An increase in cane sugar demand has been a recurring topic today, especially in the wake of Iowa losing 15% of its corn crop, and up to a quarter of the crop being used for ethanol. Somewhere, a meme has been birthed.

The sweetener industry is surprisingly huge here in the US, and if corn syrup becomes more expensive than refined sugar... well... Some of us with a Dr Pepper habit may become slightly healthier.

Cane sugar also offers a lot more energy/area than corn when used to make fuel. Personally, I still think it's not a high enough ratio. Brazil is presented as an example of an alcool economy, but a closer look reveals the kind of conservation that most in US government consider unthinkable. Even putting aside that, the industry has accelerated the destruction of the most important terrestrial carbon sink on the planet.

But still, it might be nice if we could buy cane sugar from Cuba again. We buy petroleum from more dangerous egomaniacs than the Castro's.

It is amazingly cool that the value (real value) of the wetlands has been recognized.

Everglades-Much Less Sugar, More Stored Water

Charles E Hill

Wed Jun 25 05:36:34 -0700 2008
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Oh, man. Do yourself a favor and order a case of Dublin Dr. Pepper, made with pure cane sugar. They have cans, too.

The original Dr. Pepper bottler still makes it with the original forumla, just outside Waco, TX.

Share and enjoy!

Everglades-Much Less Sugar, More Stored Water

Scott Drake

Wed Jun 25 05:46:00 -0700 2008
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I had absolutely no idea. And, believe it or not, I live a short distance from Waco.

Thank you!

Everglades-Much Less Sugar, More Stored Water

The Baron

Wed Jun 25 08:12:33 -0700 2008
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If you are anywhere close, take the time to go down and take the tour. Neat hour or so, and some of the best soda pop you'll ever put in your mouth. My brother flies down there from Dallas every couple months (the factory will send a car out to the little airport they have and drive you to the factory and back after lunch) and loads up on as many cases as his Cessna can hold.

Everglades-Much Less Sugar, More Stored Water

ehrichweiss

Wed Jun 25 10:01:12 -0700 2008
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My wife and I are really into "traditional" and non-mainstream sodas, especially if they don't contain high fructose corn syrup. Around here we found that you can buy "Mexican Cocacola" and it has cane sugar but it's also about $2/glass bottle. We get Peach Nehi from around my grandmother's place(the cashier at the tiny convenience story I found them only sees me once every year or so but remembers me as soon as I tell her that I live about 150 miles away; we get a discounted rate since we buy 12 at a time), and we have a trucker friend who picks up all sorts of soda for us and one that he brought back for us was a bottle of Dr. Pepper from the original plant in Waco. We've also had Moxie(not BAD but not for me either..very different aftertaste) and a gazillion others that I can barely remember. Most came in glass bottles thankfully and we've amassed quite a collection. Our families think we're nuts or something since you can find Cocacola and Dr. Pepper everywhere. Still nothing like a Peach Nehi though.

Everglades-Much Less Sugar, More Stored Water

duhavid

Wed Jun 25 17:16:09 -0700 2008
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Cool! Do you happen to know where to get Mountain Dew ( Code Red ), made with real Sugar? :-)

Everglades-Much Less Sugar, More Stored Water

Charles E Hill

Wed Jun 25 20:54:38 -0700 2008
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Yes, in West Jefferson, NC. Google knows all. That bottler is said to bottle ALL their drinks (RC Cola, 7-Up, Dr. Pepper, Mt Dew, etc.) are made with cane sugar. However, they don't do mail order or web order.

They are one of two non-Pepsi bottlers franchised to bottle Pepsi.

Everglades-Much Less Sugar, More Stored Water

duhavid

Wed Jun 25 21:50:49 -0700 2008
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Yeah, google knows all. :-) I had googled for this a while back, I remember the West Jefferson site, but I dont recall Mt Dew being in their lineup. Maybe it is new, probably I just missed it.

Thanks!