Hundreds of Floridians are taking a stand against Congress’ recent consideration of a bill to lift the moratorium on offshore drilling from Florida’s Gulf Coast.

  • Residents fear risk to coastal communities, marine life
  • More than 100 residents attended "Hands Across the Sand" event
  • Event also spotlighted community support for clean energy sources

"The threat of offshore oil drilling and specifically seismic airgun blasting in the Gulf of Mexico is still very real, and we cannot afford to put our coastal communities and wildlife at risk,” said Environment Florida State Director Jennifer Rubiello.

Pinellas County elected officials and community leaders joined more than 100 residents Saturday for "Hands Across the Sand," an event to oppose offshore drilling and support clean energy.

The event was one of 18 in Florida and more than 50 along the East Coast.

“[Clean energy] is something that’s good for our economy, good for our communities and not just possible, but it’s a good idea,” Sierra Club member James Scott said.

To symbolize their move towards clean energy, the residents joined hands in the shape of an original art logo designed by internationally renowned aerial artist John Quigley. A helicopter overhead captured the image of people posing with their bodies to create the image of a huge sun encircling “100%.”

"The idea that we can go all the way there,” Scott said. “We can do it and the sun is the empowering thing that gets us there."

Treasure Island is already on its way there. Mayor Bob Minning said the City has taken steps to make the city as sustainable as possible.

"All the lighting in the city buildings, we took out all the fluorescent lights and put in LEDs, did motion sensors so the lights only go on when someone’s there and our street lights down the causeway are recently installed LED lights,” Minning said.

As of today, 112 municipalities have publically opposed seismic airgun blasting and/or offshore drilling, citing concerns to marine life, coastal communities and local economies.

Pinellas County Commissioners plan to address an ordinance to ban fracking in Pinellas County at their next meeting.