© Steve Vaughn/Panoramic Images (Florida Title Image Large)
Climate Change in Florida
© Eric Zamora Climate Change Featured Image
The global threat of climate change poses a particular challenge for Florida. Because Florida is surrounded almost entirely by low-elevation coastline, sea-level rise is a concern for coastal ecosystems. A reasonable projection for global sea-level rise is three feet by 2100 (Mulkey 2007), which will certainly cause flooding and tremendous changes in coastal habitats. The Florida peninsula is also expected to become progressively more tropical as the frost-line moves northward.
Government agencies and conservation organizations have begun to address these issues but are hindered by the limitations of current data models. In 2007, Governor Charlie Crist established the Action Team on Energy and Climate Change, a committee charged with creating the Florida Climate Change Action Plan and developing strategies to combat climate change.
For more information on the potential environmental impact of climate change in Florida, visit the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Climate Change website.
Climate Change and Conservation
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© David Moynahan (Climate Change and Florida Scrub Jays Featured Image)
Climate Change and Florida Scrub Jays
by Defenders of Wildlife
The potential impact of climate change on the threatened Florida scrub-jay was the subject of an analysis of scientific research by Defenders of Wildlife in 2007. -
© David Moynahan (Climate Change and Ding Darling NWR Featured Image)
Climate Change and J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
by Defenders of Wildlife
The tides, salinity, and estuarine nutrient exchange on which almost all of the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge's plants and wildlife depend, are beginning to show the effects of global warming -
© Wes C. Skiles (Climate Change and Manatees Featured Image)
Climate Change and Manatees
by Defenders of Wildlife
Researchers suggest that the increasing likelihood of larger and more frequent hurricanes from global warming raises the odds against manatees' survival.
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