Identifying Local Opportunities
Opportunity 1:
"Nearly 1 in 3 female UF undergrads in survey report unwanted sexual contact"
https://www.gainesville.com/news/20191023/nearly-1-in-3-female-uf-undergrads-in-survey-report-unwanted-sexual-contact
This story discusses the survey results from the University of Florida's 2019 sexual assault and misconduct survey. Compared to results from the same survey in 2015, there was a near 10% jump in surveyors reporting "nonconsensual sexual contact". The survey was sent out to a variety of students. Some undergraduates, some grads, and some other professional students who were 18 years or older were surveyed. There was also a significant increase in people completing the survey in comparison to past years, which allows for more accurate responses. Generally, almost half of UF students report they have experienced at least one kind of sexual harassment.
The problem presented in this story is clear. There is an ongoing issue of sexual harassment and unwanted conduct happening on UF's campus, and the issue is becoming increasingly worse.
It is primarily women being affected by this problem, but there are also more men experiencing sexual assault and harassment than ever before as well. Generally, I would say that any student on this campus could potentially become a 'who' that is affected by this problem.
Opportunity 2:
"Promoting Good Nights Sleep: Employers are Targeting Sleep to Improve Workers Health and Lower Medical Costs"
https://www.gainesville.com/lifestyle/20200116/promoting-good-nights-sleep-employers-are-targeting-sleep-to-improve-workers-health-and-lower-medical-costs
Based on studies that have been conducted at various universities like the University of Minnesota, it has been proven that getting better sleep improves the health of workers. Ensuring that people are getting sufficient sleep and are able to reap the benefits of sleeping well is now being seen as important as making sure employees have low cholesterol! Companies are implementing sleep programs that will hopefully increase productivity, improve health, and (to the company's benefit) lower the cost of medical bills. Sleep is finally being recognized as an extremely important part of wellness.
The problem presented in this story is that employees often have bad sleep schedules and have a strong lack of good sleep, which affects their productivity and health. Especially for people who have jobs with demanding hours, such as people working the night shift or truck drivers, their health can be greatly compromised and affected by this lack of sleep. Generally though, I would say this problem applies to everyone who is working a full-time job while also juggling other aspects of their lives. It is hard to get the recommended amount of sleep.
Opportunity 3:
"Florida Iguanas Not Just Nuisance--These Lizards Contributed to 18m Repair Bill In West Palm"
https://www.gainesville.com/news/20200122/florida-iguanas-not-just-nuisance-these-lizards-contributed-to-18m-repair-bill-in-west-palm
There is a growing problem happening in Florida right now because the population of invasive iguanas is increasing. These iguanas dig burrows under homes and cause major, expensive damage. The number of these invasive iguanas is continue to grow, which means more and more damaged caused from digging. They dig under dams and other structures that cost a lot of money to repair. They also cause other nuisances and damages to residents, like pooping in pools and destroying landscapes.
The problem presented in this story is that cities in Florida, specifically West Palm Beach in this article, are having a difficult time managing and dealing with the damage being caused by a growing population of invasive iguanas. They are destroying landscapes and important structures and are literally costing the city millions of dollars.
This problem applies to people living in areas that are being affected by these iguanas. In Gainesville, it has not been something I've even seen or heard of before. However, for the people of West Palm Beach, these incessant and destructive iguanas are a major problem in their daily lives that are costing them a lot of money.
Opportunity 4:
"'Wine is like the canary in the coal mine'. Climate change is threatening our wine supply."
https://www.gainesville.com/zz/lifestyle/20200128/wine-is-like-canary-in-coal-mine-climate-change-is-threatening-our-wine-supply
Wine grapes are extremely sensitive to temperature and changes in climate. They can only grow in a very specific temperature and condition, and tragically, climate change happening in the world right now is raising temperatures in theses areas where wine grapes are being grown. If there was just 7.2 degrees more of global warming, 85% of lands growing wine grapes would no longer be able to. Not only could the wine grapes not be able to grow, but the ones that still do may be affected in taste and quality as well. Regions are working in a positive direction to switch their varieties of wine around to suitable areas where they could still thrive.
The problem presented in this story is that climate change is affecting the growth and supply of wine grapes, which is a large issue considering there is a constant high demand for wine to be produced. It is also affecting the taste and quality of some of the wine grapes. This presents an even larger problem involving the wine business. If supply is no longer able to meet demand, what will happen? This could lead to lost jobs, soiled businesses, and many other negative outcomes.
This problem applies to people working in the wine grape business, specifically farmers that grow the wine grapes and depend on this as their means of living and income.
Opportunity 5:
"It's So Cold in Florida that Disney World Water Parks and Other Orlando Parks Are Closing"
https://www.gainesville.com/news/20200121/its-so-cold-in-florida-that-disney-world-water-park-and-other-orlando-parks-are-closing
This past week, the weather in Florida has been chillier than normal. These cold temperatures have led to Disney water parks like Volcano Bay, Aquatica, and Blizzard Beach shutting down and closing their gates until warmer weather arises.
The problem presented in this story is that these businesses are not able to run and open and make more revenue because of the weather. If they were somehow able to heat the pools or provide a way to keep the water warm and enjoyable, then they could still be profiting. I think it is a problem if they have to shut down because of this weather, because it is not even extremely cold and the weather is supposed to be this way for a while.
This problem applies to workers who aren't able to come in and make money. It applies to the businesses as a whole because they aren't able to open and function. It also applies to families and children who may have had trips planned coming from afar, or who in general really wanted to visit these parks. This definitely is not a serious or detrimental problem, but it is still a problem that employees and hopeful visitors alike are having during these park closures.
"Nearly 1 in 3 female UF undergrads in survey report unwanted sexual contact"
https://www.gainesville.com/news/20191023/nearly-1-in-3-female-uf-undergrads-in-survey-report-unwanted-sexual-contact
This story discusses the survey results from the University of Florida's 2019 sexual assault and misconduct survey. Compared to results from the same survey in 2015, there was a near 10% jump in surveyors reporting "nonconsensual sexual contact". The survey was sent out to a variety of students. Some undergraduates, some grads, and some other professional students who were 18 years or older were surveyed. There was also a significant increase in people completing the survey in comparison to past years, which allows for more accurate responses. Generally, almost half of UF students report they have experienced at least one kind of sexual harassment.
The problem presented in this story is clear. There is an ongoing issue of sexual harassment and unwanted conduct happening on UF's campus, and the issue is becoming increasingly worse.
It is primarily women being affected by this problem, but there are also more men experiencing sexual assault and harassment than ever before as well. Generally, I would say that any student on this campus could potentially become a 'who' that is affected by this problem.
Opportunity 2:
"Promoting Good Nights Sleep: Employers are Targeting Sleep to Improve Workers Health and Lower Medical Costs"
https://www.gainesville.com/lifestyle/20200116/promoting-good-nights-sleep-employers-are-targeting-sleep-to-improve-workers-health-and-lower-medical-costs
Based on studies that have been conducted at various universities like the University of Minnesota, it has been proven that getting better sleep improves the health of workers. Ensuring that people are getting sufficient sleep and are able to reap the benefits of sleeping well is now being seen as important as making sure employees have low cholesterol! Companies are implementing sleep programs that will hopefully increase productivity, improve health, and (to the company's benefit) lower the cost of medical bills. Sleep is finally being recognized as an extremely important part of wellness.
The problem presented in this story is that employees often have bad sleep schedules and have a strong lack of good sleep, which affects their productivity and health. Especially for people who have jobs with demanding hours, such as people working the night shift or truck drivers, their health can be greatly compromised and affected by this lack of sleep. Generally though, I would say this problem applies to everyone who is working a full-time job while also juggling other aspects of their lives. It is hard to get the recommended amount of sleep.
Opportunity 3:
"Florida Iguanas Not Just Nuisance--These Lizards Contributed to 18m Repair Bill In West Palm"
https://www.gainesville.com/news/20200122/florida-iguanas-not-just-nuisance-these-lizards-contributed-to-18m-repair-bill-in-west-palm
There is a growing problem happening in Florida right now because the population of invasive iguanas is increasing. These iguanas dig burrows under homes and cause major, expensive damage. The number of these invasive iguanas is continue to grow, which means more and more damaged caused from digging. They dig under dams and other structures that cost a lot of money to repair. They also cause other nuisances and damages to residents, like pooping in pools and destroying landscapes.
The problem presented in this story is that cities in Florida, specifically West Palm Beach in this article, are having a difficult time managing and dealing with the damage being caused by a growing population of invasive iguanas. They are destroying landscapes and important structures and are literally costing the city millions of dollars.
This problem applies to people living in areas that are being affected by these iguanas. In Gainesville, it has not been something I've even seen or heard of before. However, for the people of West Palm Beach, these incessant and destructive iguanas are a major problem in their daily lives that are costing them a lot of money.
Opportunity 4:
"'Wine is like the canary in the coal mine'. Climate change is threatening our wine supply."
https://www.gainesville.com/zz/lifestyle/20200128/wine-is-like-canary-in-coal-mine-climate-change-is-threatening-our-wine-supply
Wine grapes are extremely sensitive to temperature and changes in climate. They can only grow in a very specific temperature and condition, and tragically, climate change happening in the world right now is raising temperatures in theses areas where wine grapes are being grown. If there was just 7.2 degrees more of global warming, 85% of lands growing wine grapes would no longer be able to. Not only could the wine grapes not be able to grow, but the ones that still do may be affected in taste and quality as well. Regions are working in a positive direction to switch their varieties of wine around to suitable areas where they could still thrive.
The problem presented in this story is that climate change is affecting the growth and supply of wine grapes, which is a large issue considering there is a constant high demand for wine to be produced. It is also affecting the taste and quality of some of the wine grapes. This presents an even larger problem involving the wine business. If supply is no longer able to meet demand, what will happen? This could lead to lost jobs, soiled businesses, and many other negative outcomes.
This problem applies to people working in the wine grape business, specifically farmers that grow the wine grapes and depend on this as their means of living and income.
Opportunity 5:
"It's So Cold in Florida that Disney World Water Parks and Other Orlando Parks Are Closing"
https://www.gainesville.com/news/20200121/its-so-cold-in-florida-that-disney-world-water-park-and-other-orlando-parks-are-closing
This past week, the weather in Florida has been chillier than normal. These cold temperatures have led to Disney water parks like Volcano Bay, Aquatica, and Blizzard Beach shutting down and closing their gates until warmer weather arises.
The problem presented in this story is that these businesses are not able to run and open and make more revenue because of the weather. If they were somehow able to heat the pools or provide a way to keep the water warm and enjoyable, then they could still be profiting. I think it is a problem if they have to shut down because of this weather, because it is not even extremely cold and the weather is supposed to be this way for a while.
This problem applies to workers who aren't able to come in and make money. It applies to the businesses as a whole because they aren't able to open and function. It also applies to families and children who may have had trips planned coming from afar, or who in general really wanted to visit these parks. This definitely is not a serious or detrimental problem, but it is still a problem that employees and hopeful visitors alike are having during these park closures.
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