Before Mateo Puig rocked, he told an audience how weather had affected his home in Puerto Rico.
The lead singer of The Reinhards said Saturday he was glad to do something positive at Water is Life III: The Trilogy after two hurricanes wreaked havoc on the island. About 50 people came at 6 p.m. to listen to local artists like Puig’s band, Shawn Manley and Fearless Hyena but stayed for a conversation led by the Civic Media Center on possible phosphate mines in Bradford and Union counties, said Matt Barker, an event organizer.
Rain moved the event inside the center. Speakers included Kate Ellison, a member of the Citizens Against Phosphate Mining in North Central Florida and Barry Jacobson, president of Solar Impact Inc., a solar energy installer.
While the suggested donation was $5 to $10 for cover, Barker stressed participation was the goal.
“With these events, I hope people can learn more (about) how our aquifer works, what threatens it and ways we can protect,” Barker said. “I think most people care, they just don't know what's going on or what they can do.”
Rooted Intentions, an ecology group, brought crawfish and turtles to show the potential victims of phosphate mining. Ellison said UF students would be impacted by polluted water if the mines are built.
“If we can send a man to the moon,” Ellison said, “we can figure out how to live in harmony with the Earth.”
