climate change

Broward County Mayor Leads Local Response To Sea Level Rise

Phil Latzman — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Even before last year's coastal calamity caused by superstorm Sandy, Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs was trying to get everyone's attention about sea-level rise and it's impact on South Florida.

Al Gore: How Six Trends Will Impact Florida, The World

Phil Latzman — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:53:01 +0000

Today is Earth Day.

And here in low-lying, hurricane prone Florida, the day has special meaning.

Sea-level rise is no longer something so incremental that we don't notice.

2 Million Floridians Threatened By Sea Level Rise, But New Study Says It Can Be Slowed

Tricia Woolfenden — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:01:00 +0000

If sea level rise continues unabated, sections of South Florida -- and Miami in particular -- will be under water in a matter of decades. But a new study suggests that swift reductions in "short-lived climate pollutants" and carbon dioxide levels could help to slow the rise.

Watch South Beach Disappear Under Sea Level Rise In Hypnotic New GIFs

Tricia Woolfenden — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:01:00 +0000

Current climate change and sea level rise models indicate a very grim -- and water-logged -- future for South Florida and Miami in particular. But new imagery from researcher/artist Nickolay Lamm paints an almost hypnotic picture of these proposed realties for American cities like Miami, Boston, Washington D.C., and New York.<

Why Everglades Restoration Really Needs To Be About Adapting To Climate Change

Tricia Woolfenden — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:02:00 +0000

When the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) was approved in 2000, it was a historic move to "restore, protect and preserve" water resources in central and south Florida. The 30-year framework was designed with the ultimate goal of restoring historic water-flows to a "dying ecosystem." Project leaders and scientists are now focused on incorporating climate change adaptation into the plans and acknowledging that the Everglades will likely never look the way it once did.

Impact Of Tamiami Trail Bridge 'Will Be Huge,' Says Conservationalist

Tricia Woolfenden — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 11:02:50 +0000

State officials, local dignitaries, and conservationalists gathered last Tuesday to celebrate the completion of the first phase of the Tamiami Trail bridge project. The plan took more than two decades to achieve and is part of a larger effort to restore fresh water flow to the Everglades.

Climate Change Could Ruin Snorkeling And Fishing In Florida

Tricia Woolfenden — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:01:04 +0000

The future of some of Florida's smallest and most seldom seen inhabitants is under threat from climate change, and that could spell big trouble further up the food chain, scientists say. South Florida's coral and algae populations are declining as ocean temperatures rise and there's an economic factor to consider, according to researchers who study the coastal underwater ecosystems.

Florida Not Among States Expected To Teach Students About Climate Change

Tricia Woolfenden — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:02:54 +0000

More than two dozen states are expected to adopt new national science education standards that include teaching children as young as elementary school about the effects of climate change. Florida was not among the 26 states that helped to "provide leadership" during the development stage of the Next Generation Science Standards, and it is unclear if it is among the roughly 15 states "that have indicated they may accept them," according to Inside Climate News.

Humidity Will Worsen With Climate Change And With It, Worker Productivity

Tricia Woolfenden — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:31:27 +0000

Anyone who has tried to tend a garden or walk the dog in the height of a South Florida summer understands the energy-zapping qualities of a heat and humidity combo. A recently released study reports that climate change will mean an increase in those sticky, sweaty days.

How Will The Florida Legislature Tackle Property Insurance Rates? Good Question, Says Senator

Tricia Woolfenden — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Getting a handle on property insurance rates is a top priority in the upcoming Florida Legislature 2013 regular session, but it's no easy task, according to popular consensus at Monday night's Town Hall session hosted by WLRN and the Miami Herald.

"The legislature is in a terrible box," said Mary Ellen Klas, the capital bureau chief for the Miami Herald and a panelist at Monday's event. "This is one of the tough issues they have to grapple with."

Miami Among "Most At Risk" For Sea Level Rise, Federal Climate Change Report Says

Tricia Woolfenden — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:01:40 +0000

Florida -- and Miami in particular -- should prepare for habitat destruction, loss of cropland, increased salt-water intrusion, worsening coastal flooding, and a host of related disasters if climate change and sea level rise patterns continue, according to findings in a federal "draft climate report."

Sea Walls Designed To Save Beaches May Actually Speed Up Erosion

Tricia Woolfenden — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 13:29:40 +0000

The beach is emblematic of Florida life, so it computes that waterside residents in Palm Beach County are scrambling to find ways to keep the beach from crumbling into the ocean. Unfortunately, proposed sea walls -- meant to slow the beach erosion widely seen throughout South Florida -- actually hasten the problem, according to some environmental groups and government officials.

Interactive Maps Paint A Picture Of Sea Level Rise In Florida

Tricia Woolfenden — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 19:00:00 +0000

A new study from a German research institute identifies urban areas most threatened by sea level rise and indicates that although sea level rise has been occurring for more than a century, it's not happening at a steady rate around the globe. This is due to regional variances in temperature, circulation, and ocean density.

The State Of The Union Of Climate Change: How Will Obama Address Global Warming?

Tricia Woolfenden — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:00:00 +0000

On Tuesday night, President Barack Obama will give the first State of the Union address of his second term. Among the many issues that impact South Floridians -- jobs, immigration reform, Medicare -- climate change is one of the hot-button topics expected to make the agenda.

What Gov. Rick Scott's $74.2 Billion Budget Would Mean For South Florida Environmental Projects

Tricia Woolfenden — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 15:00:00 +0000

If Gov. Rick Scott's proposed $74.2 billion budget passes the Legislature intact, it would include $75 million for conservation land projects spearheaded by the Florida Forever Coalition. The 2013-2014 budget also includes $60 million for Everglades restoration and $6.5 million for restoring springs.

How The Dolphins Stadium Won State GOP Votes

Elaine Chen — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:00:00 +0000

On the Florida Roundup: The Dolphins jump the first hurdles in their quest for public money to upgrade Sun Life Stadium.

Rising tides on your street - how sea level rise could cost our region millions.

Ask Us Anything: Archive Of Our Online Chat With Citizens Property Insurance

Elaine Chen — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 15:25:12 +0000

The price of property insurance in Florida keeps going up -- such that some homeowners are getting second mortgages or dropping coverage all together. The state created Citizens Property Insurance to be the insurer of last resort for Florida homeowners.

How South Florida Will Remember 2012

Elaine Chen — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 17:00:00 +0000

We were once again in the center of the political universe, but perhaps for all the wrong reasons as the state that can't vote straight. It was also the year that the death of a black teen from Miami Gardens named Trayvon Martin made us reassess race relations, and the right to stand your ground.

The Quick Fix For A Disappearing Beach

Phil Latzman — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:54:44 +0000

Sand dunes and steel sheets driven underground will be used as temporary fixes to shore up a portion of Fort Lauderdale beach and State Road A1A that have been overrun by the ocean.

The $4.5-million-dollar plan was announced at a public meeting Monday night, the Sun Sentinel reports today, and it will serve as a band-aid until a permanent fix is found.

Tallying It Up: Election Problems, Citizens Insurance And Miami-Dade Prayer

Elaine Chen — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 17:00:00 +0000

On the Florida Roundup : Local leaders and scientists gather in Palm Beach county to discuss how sea-level rise is “sinking in” in South Florida. Citizens Insurance is awash with complaints about its "incentive plan" to have private insurers take over some of its policies. Will you be paying for it, hurricane or not?

How Climate Change Is Reshaping South Florida

Elaine Chen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 19:00:00 +0000

On The Florida Roundup: Hurricane season has officially ended. South Florida was saved from any severe hurricanes, but we see the effects of climate change as beaches erode, roads crumble and flooding inundates parts of region.

Climate Change Signs Abound, Locals Say

Elaine Chen — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:00:00 +0000

With its low-level waterfront communities, South Florida is particularly vulnerable to climate change.

But perhaps no area is more vulnerable than the Florida Keys.

James from Cudjoe Key tells us that a nature trail he has walked for 10 years is now regularly flooded, even at low tide. Here is a photo he sent us:

While much has been written about the danger to South Florida caused by rising water levels, Pamela from Miami points out that Miami should pay attention to its air: