Climate change in Florida

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Flooding during high tides occurs in Miami Beach. The city is spending $500M on elevated roadways, seawalls, and pumping systems, as part of its Sea Level Rise Strategy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article222086110.html|title=Federal report says what Florida already knows — climate change is affecting us now|last=Harris|first=Alex|date=November 27, 2018|website=Miami Herald|access-date=2020-02-17}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170403-miamis-fight-against-sea-level-rise|title=Miami's fight against rising seas|last=Ruggeri|first=Amanda|date=3 April 2017|website=www.bbc.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://www8.miamidade.gov/global/economy/resilience-sea-level-rise-strategy.page|title=Sea Level Rise Strategy|date=2020|website=Miami Dade County Office of Resilience|access-date=2020-02-17|archive-date=2023-04-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404064338/https://www8.miamidade.gov/global/economy/resilience-sea-level-rise-strategy.page|url-status=dead}}{{Cite book|last=Ariza|first=Mario Alejandro|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1123233347|title=Disposable city : Miami's future on the shores of climate catastrophe|date=2020|publisher=Bold Type Books|isbn=978-1-5417-8846-6|edition=First|location=New York, NY|pages=4|oclc=1123233347}} GIS mapping of areas subject to flooding during high tides, storm surges, and major storm events is available.{{Cite web|url=https://mdc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=685a1c5e03c947d9a786df7b4ddb79d3|title=Miami-Dade County Flood Zones GIS Tool}}

In Key Largo and Big Pine Key, $517,000 is being spent to raise one mile of roads, as a "Sea Level Rise Pilot Project".{{Cite web|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/florida-keys/article221958885.html|title=The latest battle against sea level rise? Raising one mile of road|last=Filosa|first=Gwen|website=Miami Herald|date=November 27, 2018|access-date=2020-02-15}}

A "Sea Level Scenario Sketch Planning Tool is used by the Florida Department of Transportation, MPOs, local governments, and regional planning agencies to assess potential impacts of sea level rise (SLR) on transportation facilities."{{Cite web |last= |title=Development of Geospatial Framework to Support Robust Analysis of Transportation Infrastructure to Climate Impacts |url=https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/research/program_information/contract.development/ballot/opp-21-02.pdf?sfvrsn=52aee1ee_2 |access-date=2020-02-16 |website=Florida Department of Transportation. Planning–Office of Policy Planning}}

Coastal protection, including beach renourishment, has been a focus of state government.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wptv.com/news/protecting-paradise/florida-republican-lawmakers-focus-on-climate-change|title=Florida Republican lawmakers focus on climate change|last=Turner|first=Jim|date=2019-10-15|website=WPTV|language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}}

A 2018 Florida International University study says that sea level rise will inundate the mangroves of the Florida Everglades.{{Cite news|last=Milman|first=Oliver|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/02/mangroves-everglades-florida-rising-sea-level|title=Everglades under threat as Florida's mangroves face death by rising sea level|date=2018-05-02|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-02-16|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} The stored carbon in the Everglades has been valued at between $2 billion and $3.4 billion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=190254|title=Everglades mangroves' carbon storage capacity worth billions|website=www.nsf.gov|date=14 November 2016 |language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}}{{Cite journal|last1=Jerath|first1=Meenakshi|last2=Bhat|first2=Mahadev|last3=Rivera-Monroy|first3=Victor H.|last4=Castañeda-Moya|first4=Edward|last5=Simard|first5=Marc|last6=Twilley|first6=Robert R.|date=2016-12-01|title=The role of economic, policy, and ecological factors in estimating the value of carbon stocks in Everglades mangrove forests, South Florida, USA|journal=Environmental Science & Policy|language=en|volume=66|pages=160–169|doi=10.1016/j.envsci.2016.09.005|issn=1462-9011|doi-access=free|bibcode=2016ESPol..66..160J }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ecomagazine.com/news/science/everglades-mangroves-carbon-storage-capacity-worth-billions|title=Everglades Mangroves' Carbon Storage Capacity Worth Billions|website=ECO Magazine|date=28 November 2016 |language=en-gb|access-date=2020-02-16}} "As the ocean pushes westward and north into the Everglades and the Biscayne Aquifer," the water supply of Miami will be impacted.{{Cite web|url=http://www.miamidade.gov/environment/climate-change-impact.asp|title=Miami-Dade County - Environment - Impact on South Florida|date=Aug 9, 2013|website=www.miamidade.gov|access-date=2020-02-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gsd.harvard.edu/project/the-vulnerability-of-potable-water-with-climate-change-in-miami-dade/|title=The Vulnerability of Potable Water with Climate Change in Miami-Dade|last=Cabrera|first=Pamela|date=2018|website=Harvard Graduate School of Design|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-08-29/miami-s-other-water-problem|title=Miami Will Be Underwater Soon. Its Drinking Water Could Go First. The city has another serious water problem.|date=August 29, 2018|website=www.bloomberg.com|access-date=2020-02-16}} The loss of mangroves and wetlands due to sea level rise will also impact commercial fisheries.

A 2017 study by Cornell University researchers says [https://www.wmfe.org/environment/2023-10-16/sea-level-rise-drain-floridas-financial-future "nearly two million Floridians will be forced from their homes by 2100 because of climate-induced rising seas."]

A change in hurricane frequency or intensity is of concern for Floridians. The Climate Change Center at Florida State University and Climate.gov say the science is inconclusive regarding hurricane frequency or intensity. However, rainfall rates will increase according to most climate models, and the storm surge associated with hurricanes will increase with rising sea levels.{{Cite web|url=https://climatecenter.fsu.edu/topics/climate-change|title=Climate Change Basics for the Southeast USA (from AgroClimate)|website=Florida Climate Center, Florida State University|access-date=2020-02-15}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.climate.gov/news-features/climate-qa/could-climate-change-make-atlantic-hurricanes-worse|title=Could climate change make Atlantic hurricanes worse?|date=May 29, 2019|website=NOAA Climate.gov|access-date=2020-02-15}}

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After Hurricane Irma in 2017, which occurred just weeks after Hurricane Harvey, Governor Rick Scott did not attribute the possible changes in hurricane patterns to climate change.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2017/09/14/florida-governor-remains-unsure-about-climate-change-after-hurricane-irma-114498|title=Florida governor remains unsure about climate change after Hurricane Irma|last=Caputo|first=Marc|date=2017-09-14|website=Politico - Politico Florida|language=en|access-date=2020-02-15}}

There is some evidence that hurricanes may slow down their rate of forward advance, like Hurricane Dorian, which spent a day and a half over Grand Bahama Island on its way to Florida.{{Cite web|url=https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/climate-change-fueling-more-intense-stalling-hurricanes|title=Is Climate Change Fueling More Intense, Stalling Hurricanes?|date=September 6, 2019|website=WUSF News|language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/145559/a-devastating-stall-by-hurricane-dorian|title=A Devastating Stall by Hurricane Dorian|date=2019-09-04|website=earthobservatory.nasa.gov|language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/20190906/hurricane-dorian-why-warming-planet-may-mean-more-dorian-like-storms|title=Hurricane Dorian: Why a warming planet may mean more Dorian-like storms|last=Miller|first=Kimberly|website=The Palm Beach Post|language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}}

A category 5 hurricane is of most concern in the Tampa Bay area, and climate related sea level rise of as little as six inches would exacerbate its impact.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2019/9/11/18485563/hurricane-florida-climate-change-tampa|title=26 feet of water: What the worst-case hurricane scenario looks like for Tampa Bay|last=Resnick|first=Brian|date=2019-09-11|website=Vox|language=en|access-date=2020-02-15}}

According to the Fifth National Climate Assessment published in 2023, coastal states including California, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas are experiencing "more significant storms and extreme swings in precipitation".{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/14/us/national-climate-assessment-extreme-weather-costs/index.html |title=No place in the US is safe from the climate crisis, but a new report shows where it's most severe|first1=Ella|last1=Nilsen|work=CNN|date=November 14, 2023}}

File:Köppen Climate Types Florida.png of Florida, using 1991–2020 climate normals.]]

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The Florida Climate Protection Act of 2008 created the Florida Energy and Climate Commission. It also urged the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a greenhouse gas reduction strategy.

Governor Charlie Crist signed several executive orders related to climate change upon taking office. These executive orders included tailpipe emission limits for cars sold in Florida, called for reductions in the state's greenhouse gas emissions, and mandated a minimum of 20 percent renewable energy by 2020 for Florida's electric utilities. The Public Service Commission rejected six new coal-fired power plants under Crist.{{Cite web|url=https://www.georgetownclimate.org/adaptation/state-information/florida/overview.html|title=Overview of Florida's Climate Change Preparations|website=Georgetown Climate Center|language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}}

Governor Rick Scott "denied the idea of anthropogenic global warming" during his first election in 2010. Use of the term "climate change" was discouraged during his administration. He also eliminated mandates to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and appointed climate skeptics to posts such as the Public Service Commission.{{Cite web|url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/florida-republicans-demand-climate-change-solutions/|title=Florida Republicans Demand Climate Change Solutions|last=Bolstad|first=Erika|date=March 15, 2016|website=Scientific American|language=en|access-date=2020-02-15}} Scott vetoed $750,000 budgeted for pumping water out of Miami Beach, on the grounds that the money didn't provide "a clear statewide return for the investment," and did not reply directly when asked if he would support efforts to protect Miami's water supply. Scott was sued by a group of children aged 10–20 for his positions on climate.{{Cite web|url=https://weather.com/science/environment/news/2018-04-17-florida-kids-governor-rick-scott-climate-change|title=Florida Kids Sue Gov. Rick Scott For Not Doing More to Stop Climate Change|last=Wright|first=Pam|date=2018-04-17|website=The Weather Channel|access-date=2020-02-15|archive-date=2023-04-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404064338/https://weather.com/science/environment/news/2018-04-17-florida-kids-governor-rick-scott-climate-change|url-status=dead}}

Governor Ron DeSantis established an Office of Resiliency and Coastal Protection.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wlrn.org/post/florida-new-governor-speaks-words-climate-change|title=In Florida, A New Governor Speaks The Words, 'Climate Change'|last=Green|first=Amy|date=April 30, 2019|website=www.wlrn.org|language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}} DeSantis was noted for actually speaking the word "climate change" in his statement: "This idea of – quote – 'climate change' has become politicized. My environmental policy is just to try to do things that benefit Floridians." However, DeSantis has not made climate mitigation, renewable energy, or greenhouse gas reduction a policy priority.{{Cite web|url=https://insideclimatenews.org/news/28012019/florida-governor-desantis-environment-directives-sea-level-rise-climate-change-republican|title=In Florida, a New Governor Shifts Gears on Environment, and Maybe Climate Change|last=Bruggers|first=James|date=2019-01-28|website=InsideClimate News|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.floridaphoenix.com/2020/01/15/greener-gop-still-stalling-on-clean-energy-and-climate-change-in-fl/|title='Greener' GOP still stalling on clean energy and climate change in FL|last=Cassels|first=Laura|date=2020-01-15|website=Florida Phoenix|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-16}} In January 2020, DeSantis was given a D grade by the Sierra Club of Florida "for his work on environmental protection and sustainability."

Florida's Republican candidates in local, state, and national office have emphasized risk mitigation and resilience for dealing with climate-related impacts, rather than climate mitigation efforts to prevent climate change.

By contrast, South Florida Republicans, such as Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez, Representative Carlos Curbelo, and former Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, have said that "man-made climate change is real and needs to be taken seriously."

Florida State Senator José Javier Rodriguez has attempted to draw attention to the problem of sunny day flooding by wearing black rainboots during legislative sessions.{{Cite web|url=https://health.wusf.usf.edu/post/florida-s-gop-has-change-heart-about-climate-change|title=Florida's GOP Has A Change Of Heart About Climate Change|date=Oct 21, 2019|website=Health News Florida, WUSF|language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}}

In May 2024, Republican governor Ron DeSantis signed into law, removal of eight of fifteen references to climate change from state laws, removing greenhouse gas emissions reduction as a priority for energy policy, banning construction of offshore wind turbines off Florida's coasts, weakening regulations on natural gas pipelines, and preventing cities from banning appliances like gas stoves.{{cite magazine |last1=Yoder |first1=Kate |title=DeSantis says he's 'restoring sanity by erasing climate change from Florida laws |url=https://grist.org/politics/desantis-signs-florida-law-removing-climate-change/ |magazine=Grist |date=May 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516211108/https://grist.org/politics/desantis-signs-florida-law-removing-climate-change/ |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |url-status=live }}

The "Energy Poll", conducted by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, found that 63% of Floridians in March 2012 believed climate change occurs. The same survey conducted in 2016 saw the number rise to 81%. An October 2020 survey conducted by Florida Atlantic University (FAU) found that over two-thirds of Florida residents expressed concerns about the impact of climate change on the state's future.{{Cite web |last=Ritchie |first=Bruce |date=January 23, 2020 |title=As Trump heads to Doral, Florida Republicans send a message on climate change |url=https://politi.co/2tKkrKg |access-date=2020-02-16 |website=Politico |language=en}}

In 2023, the FAU's "Florida Climate Resilience Survey" found that 65% of respondents, including 49% of Republicans, believe that climate change is predominantly the result of human activity.{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Mitch |date=2023-05-11 |title=Poll: More Florida Republicans accept that human actions cause climate change |url=https://floridaphoenix.com/2023/05/11/poll-more-florida-republicans-accept-that-human-actions-cause-climate-change/ |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=Florida Phoenix |language=en-US}}

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The Florida Department of Transportation has studied how to use greenhouse gas calculation tools as part of the transportation planning processes, and analyzes transportation infrastructure for impacts of sea level rise.{{Cite web|url=https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/research/reports/fdot-bdk85-977-10-rpt.pdf?sfvrsn=1a849b1e_2|title=Developing a Framework for a Toolkit for Carbon Footprint That Integrates Transit (CFIT) : Final Report|last=University of South Florida|first=Florida Department of Transportation|date=November 2010|website=Florida Department of Transportation|access-date=2020-02-16}}

Mangroves are threatened in the Everglades, due to sea level rise.{{Cite news|last=Milman|first=Oliver|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/02/mangroves-everglades-florida-rising-sea-level|title=Everglades under threat as Florida's mangroves face death by rising sea level|date=2018-05-02|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-02-15|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} However, the range of mangroves is extending northwards as storms spread the mangrove seed-like propagules. There has been no hard freeze that kills mangroves in Northeast Florida for 30 years.

Mangroves are especially important for carbon sequestration, and have been referred to as "blue carbon." The stored carbon in the mangroves of the Everglades has been estimated to be worth between $2 billion and $3.4 billion.{{Cite web|url=https://phys.org/news/2016-11-everglades-mangroves-worth-billions-climate.html|title=Everglades mangroves worth billions in fight against climate change|last=Gonzalez|first=Evelyn|date=November 15, 2016|website=phys.org|language=en-us|access-date=2020-02-15}}

Mangroves are also useful for flood control and storm protection. At the Tolomato Matanzas Research Reserve, mangroves create a flood barrier during storms, thereby protecting trees. Mangroves also produce soil, which helps maintain the height of the coastline.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/08/29/755322980/mangroves-climate-change-and-hurricanes|title=Mangroves, Climate Change And Hurricanes|last=Rivers|first=Brendan|date=2019-08-29|website=NPR.org|language=en|access-date=2020-02-15}}

Economically destructive red tides are expected to continue as a result of pollution and warming water.

Florida and the U.S. Southeast region face many health-related threats due to tropical storms, sea level rise, extreme heat, and drought.{{Cite report |url=https://health2016.globalchange.gov/downloads#climate-change-and-human-health |title=Ch. 1: Introduction: Climate Change and Human Health. The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment |last1=Balbus |first1=J. |last2=Crimmins |first2=A. |date=2016 |publisher=U.S. Global Change Research Program |doi=10.7930/j0vx0dfw |last3=Gamble |first3=J.L. |last4=Easterling |first4=D.R. |last5=Kunkel |first5=K.E. |last6=Saha |first6=S. |last7=Sarofim |first7=M.C.|url-access=subscription }}

Florida is a low-lying state and is estimated to be the state in the U.S. with the largest population and proportion of population living in the low-elevation coastal zone.{{Cite journal |last1=Tagtachian |first1=Daniela |last2=Balk |first2=Deborah |date=2023-08-11 |title=Uneven vulnerability: characterizing population composition and change in the low elevation coastal zone in the United States with a climate justice lens, 1990–2020 |journal=Frontiers in Environmental Science |volume=11 |doi=10.3389/fenvs.2023.1111856 |issn=2296-665X |doi-access=free }} Sea level rise threatens to increase flooding. Of an estimated 590,000 people in South Florida vulnerable to sea level rise, it is estimated that 125,000 are socially vulnerable and 55,000 are medically vulnerable.{{Cite report |url=https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/19/ |title=Chapter 19 : Southeast. Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: The Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II |last1=Carter |first1=Lynne M. |last2=Terando |first2=Adam |date=2018 |publisher=U.S. Global Change Research Program |doi=10.7930/nca4.2018.ch19 |last3=Dow |first3=Kirstin |last4=Hiers |first4=Kevin |last5=Kunkel |first5=Kenneth E. |last6=Lascurain |first6=Aranzazu |last7=Marcy |first7=Douglas C. |last8=Osland |first8=Michael J. |last9=Schramm |first9=Paul J.|doi-access=free }}

Tropical cyclones like hurricanes can threaten health in a variety of ways: flooding, strong winds, hazards in the recovery period after a storm, evacuation and displacement, and mental health impacts.

In the United States, drowning is the leading cause of flooding-related death, particularly due to powerful storm surges.{{Cite report |url=https://health2016.globalchange.gov/downloads#extreme-events |title=Ch. 4: Impacts of Extreme Events on Human Health. The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment |last1=Bell |first1=J.E. |last2=Herring |first2=S.C. |date=2016 |publisher=U.S. Global Change Research Program |doi=10.7930/j0bz63zv |last3=Jantarasami |first3=L. |last4=Adrianopoli |first4=C. |last5=Benedict |first5=K. |last6=Conlon |first6=K. |last7=Escobar |first7=V. |last8=Hess |first8=J. |last9=Luvall |first9=J.|url-access=subscription }} Storms can directly threaten lives and also cause power outages due to winds and/or flooding. In Florida, power outages after Hurricane Irma were associated with higher mortality in nursing home residents.{{Cite journal |last1=Skarha |first1=Julianne |last2=Gordon |first2=Lily |last3=Sakib |first3=Nazmus |last4=June |first4=Joseph |last5=Jester |first5=Dylan J. |last6=Peterson |first6=Lindsay J. |last7=Andel |first7=Ross |last8=Dosa |first8=David M. |date=2021-11-24 |title=Association of Power Outage With Mortality and Hospitalizations Among Florida Nursing Home Residents After Hurricane Irma |url=https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2786665 |journal=JAMA Health Forum |language=en |volume=2 |issue=11 |pages=e213900 |doi=10.1001/jamahealthforum.2021.3900 |issn=2689-0186 |pmc=8796882 |pmid=35977265}}

Evacuation and displacement due to a storm can impact health. During the evacuation process, people can lose or forget medication and devices such as hearing aids or dentures and may have difficulty filling prescriptions.{{Cite journal |last1=Ochi |first1=Sae |last2=Hodgson |first2=Susan |last3=Landeg |first3=Owen |last4=Mayner |first4=Lidia |last5=Murray |first5=Virginia |date=2014 |title=Disaster-Driven Evacuation and Medication Loss: a Systematic Literature Review |journal=PLOS Currents |volume=6 |language=en |doi=10.1371/currents.dis.fa417630b566a0c7dfdbf945910edd96 |pmid=25642363 |issn=2157-3999 |doi-access=free |pmc=4169391 }}

Recovery after a major storm can involve heavy construction and exposure to hazardous materials in floodwaters such as sewage, chemicals, and sharp or broken objects.{{Cite journal |last1=Johanning |first1=Eckardt |last2=Auger |first2=Pierre |last3=Morey |first3=Philip R. |last4=Yang |first4=Chin S. |last5=Olmsted |first5=Ed |date=2014 |title=Review of health hazards and prevention measures for response and recovery workers and volunteers after natural disasters, flooding, and water damage: mold and dampness |journal=Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine |language=en |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=93–99 |doi=10.1007/s12199-013-0368-0 |issn=1342-078X |pmc=3944034 |pmid=24254802|bibcode=2014EHPM...19...93J }} Dampness after flooding can facilitate mold growth, which is common after flooding in Florida; Florida's hot and humid climate creates favorable conditions for mold growth even in the absence of flooding.{{Cite news |last=Choi-Schagrin |first=Winston |date=October 4, 2022 |title=After the Storm, the Mold: Warming Is Worsening Another Costly Disaster |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/04/climate/hurricane-ian-mold-home-remediation.html |access-date=December 18, 2023}}

Compared to less developed areas of the world, threats of infectious, respiratory, and diarrheal diseases are low in high income/ developed countries like the U.S. but are more prevalent following flooding events.

Longer-term health impacts include impacts on mental health and pregnancy outcomes. Flooding puts people at higher risk of mental health challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.{{Cite journal |last1=Fernandez |first1=Ana |last2=Black |first2=John |last3=Jones |first3=Mairwen |last4=Wilson |first4=Leigh |last5=Salvador-Carulla |first5=Luis |last6=Astell-Burt |first6=Thomas |last7=Black |first7=Deborah |date=2015-04-10 |editor-last=Ebi |editor-first=Kristie L |title=Flooding and Mental Health: A Systematic Mapping Review |journal=PLOS ONE |language=en |volume=10 |issue=4 |pages=e0119929 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0119929 |issn=1932-6203 |pmc=4393088 |pmid=25860572 |bibcode=2015PLoSO..1019929F |doi-access=free }} A study of Hurricane Charley in Florida found that exposure to higher wind speeds increased risk of preterm birth.{{Cite journal |last1=Grabich |first1=Shannon C. |last2=Robinson |first2=Whitney R. |last3=Engel |first3=Stephanie M. |last4=Konrad |first4=Charles E. |last5=Richardson |first5=David B. |last6=Horney |first6=Jennifer A. |date=2016 |title=Hurricane Charley Exposure and Hazard of Preterm Delivery, Florida 2004 |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10995-016-2069-y |journal=Maternal and Child Health Journal |language=en |volume=20 |issue=12 |pages=2474–2482 |doi=10.1007/s10995-016-2069-y |pmid=27485492 |s2cid=23967536 |issn=1092-7875|url-access=subscription }}

The impacts on health of climate change fueled extreme heat are anticipated to be minimal due to Florida's already warm climate that means that much of the population is acclimatized, or adjusted, to heat and most buildings have air conditioning installed.Emrich CT, Morath DP, Bowser GC, Reeves R. Climate-Sensitive Hazards in Florida: Identifying and Prioritizing Threats to Build Resilience against Climate Effects. Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute under contract for the Florida Department of Health; 2017. https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/climate-and-health/_documents/climate-sensitive-hazards-in-florida-final-report.pdf However, extreme heat may still be a threat to older adults, homeless populations, and people who spend time outdoors such as workers in industries such as agriculture and tourism, as well as tourists themselves.{{Cite web |last=Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor |title=Heat: Overview: Working in Outdoor and Indoor Heat Environments |url=https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure |access-date=December 18, 2023}} In summer 2023, Orlando, which contains theme parks such as Disney World, saw its first-ever heat warning from the National Weather Service and saw spikes in heat-related distress calls, more than double than the number five years prior.{{Cite web |last=Russon |first=Gabrielle |date=2023-11-27 |title=Disney World visitors felt the heat as medical calls spiked this Summer |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/645728-disney-world-visitors-felt-the-heat-as-medical-calls-spiked-this-summer/ |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=Florida Politics |language=en-US}}

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While Florida doesn’t make headlines for wildfires as much as other U.S. states like California and Colorado, it too is vulnerable to wildfires, which can have many health impacts, such as on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.{{Cite journal |last1=Reid |first1=Colleen E. |last2=Brauer |first2=Michael |last3=Johnston |first3=Fay H. |last4=Jerrett |first4=Michael |last5=Balmes |first5=John R. |last6=Elliott |first6=Catherine T. |date=September 1, 2016 |title=Critical Review of Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke Exposure |journal=Environmental Health Perspectives |language=en |volume=124 |issue=9 |pages=1334–1343 |doi=10.1289/ehp.1409277 |issn=0091-6765 |pmc=5010409 |pmid=27082891}} Florida wildfires are most frequent under hot and dry conditions and many fires in the state are prescribed burns or are sparked by military activities. Conditions of future drought and temperature rise may increase wildfire potential in the state.

File:Aedes aegypti on leaf.jpg by Wee Hong]]

Southern Florida already has a high suitability for mosquito-borne diseases because it is habitable for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry viruses like those that cause Zika, dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. Future climate change projections predict that much of the Southeastern U.S. will be vulnerable to mosquito-borne diseases, particularly southern Florida which may become suitable to year-round disease transmission.

A considerable proportion of Florida’s population has characteristics that may make them more vulnerable to health impacts or that may pose barriers to accessing healthcare; approximately 21.6% of Florida's population is over the age of 65, 21.0% are foreign born, 12.7% live below the federal poverty level, and approximately 13.9% of the population does not have health insurance.{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Florida |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/FL/PST045222 |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=www.census.gov |language=en}}

File:Zuid-Florida reliëf.jpg. For the view on the right, elevations below 5 meters (16 feet) above sea level have been colored dark blue, and lighter blue indicates elevations below 10 meters (33 feet).]]

File:Thank you linemen, Chattahoochee (cropped).jpg, Chattahoochee 2019]]

In 2017, the real estate website Zillow wrote that if climate predictions were correct, by 2100 "One in eight Florida homes would be under water, accounting for nearly half of the lost housing value nationwide." This calculation was based on comparing NOAA maps for a 6-foot sea level rise with the Zillow database of homes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.zillow.com/research/climate-change-underwater-homes-12890/|title=Climate Change and Housing: Will a Rising Tide Sink All Homes?|date=2017-06-02|website=Zillow Research|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-16}}

Real estate website Curbed has presented a table with impacted cities in Florida, homes at risk, and dollar estimates. Curbed has estimated that "Roughly 64,000 homes—including 12,000 in Miami Beach, a nexus of real estate investment—will face chronic flooding," and has described how changes are needed in National Flood Insurance Program.{{Cite web|url=https://www.curbed.com/2018/10/16/17981244/real-estate-climate-change-infrastructure|title=Climate change and the coming coastal real estate crash|last=Sisson|first=Patrick|date=2018-10-16|website=Curbed|language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}} AP cites data from climate risk analytics firm Jupiter Intelligence indicating that "extreme flooding could go from affecting 5% to 86% of Miami-Dade's residential real estate supply by 2030."{{Cite web|url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/two-new-reports-explain-just-how-susceptible-florida-real-estate-will-be-to-climate-change|title=Two New Reports Explain Just How Susceptible Florida Real Estate Will Be to Climate Change|last=Nelson|first=Tim|date=January 23, 2020|website=Architectural Digest|language=en|access-date=2020-02-25}}

A 2018 report by the Union of Concerned Scientists, titled: Underwater: Rising Seas, Chronic Floods, and the Implications for US Coastal Real Estate stated that Florida is the state with the most homes at risk from climate change: "about 1 million homes (more than 10% of the state's current residential properties)."{{Cite web|url=https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/underwater|title=Underwater|date=June 18, 2018|website=Union of Concerned Scientists|language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}}

Officials in the Florida Keys found that it would take 75 million dollars to save three miles of road serving about two dozen homes. A December 2019 New York Times article describing the decisions facing Monroe County was titled, "Florida Keys Deliver a Hard Message: As Seas Rise, Some Places Can't Be Saved."{{Cite news|last1=Flavelle|first1=Christopher|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/04/climate/florida-keys-climate-change.html|title=Florida Keys Deliver a Hard Message: As Seas Rise, Some Places Can't Be Saved|date=2019-12-04|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-02-25|last2=Mazzei|first2=Patricia|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} Some small islands in the Keys may disappear altogether.{{Cite web|url=https://www.markey.senate.gov/GlobalWarming/impactzones/florida.html|title=Global Warming Impact Zones {{!}} U.S. Florida|date=2020-02-25|website=Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, US Senate|access-date=2020-02-25}}

Climate gentrification is increasing real estate values in parts of Miami that are at higher elevation, and decreasing values in lower-elevation areas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/29/climate-gentrification-is-changing-miami-real-estate-values.html|title=Rising Risks: 'Climate gentrification' is changing Miami real estate values – for better and worse|last=Olick|first=Diana|date=August 29, 2019|website=CNBC|access-date=2020-02-16}} By 2017, two poor black neighborhoods of Miami which are located on higher ground, Little Haiti and Liberty City, started becoming more attractive to investors.{{Cite news|last=Luscombe|first=Richard|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/aug/29/hurricane-harvey-climate-change-real-estate-florida|title=How climate change could turn US real estate prices upside down|date=2017-08-29|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-02-16|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/03/31/706940085/building-for-an-uncertain-future-miami-residents-adapt-to-the-changing-climate|title=Building For An Uncertain Future: Miami Residents Adapt To The Changing Climate|last1=Stewart|first1=Ian|last2=Garcia-Navarro|first2=Lulu|date=March 31, 2019|website=NPR.org|language=en|access-date=2020-02-26}} Home prices appreciated more slowly in 2018 in Miami Beach and lower-lying areas of Miami-Dade County.{{Cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2018/04/21/climate-change-is-already-depressing-the-price-of-flood-prone-real-estate/|title=Climate Change Is Already Depressing the Price of Flood-Prone Real Estate|last=Morris|first=David Z|date=April 21, 2018|website=Fortune|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-16}}

One flood assessment company describes the South Florida housing market as being kept afloat by "systemic fraudulent nondisclosure" of flood risks to property.{{Cite news|last=Bergman|first=Megan Mayhew|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/15/florida-climate-change-coastal-real-estate-rising-seas|title=Florida is drowning. Condos are still being built. Can't humans see the writing on the wall?|date=2019-02-15|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-02-16|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-12-29/south-florida-s-real-estate-reckoning-could-be-closer-than-you-think|title=South Florida's Real Estate Reckoning Could Be Closer Than You Think. Hurricane Irma showed just how vulnerable South Florida—and some of the nation's most expensive real estate—is to climate change.|last=Flavelle|first=Christopher|date=December 29, 2017|website=Bloomberg|access-date=2020-02-16}} A bill passed by the US House of Representatives to require real estate agents to disclose flood risks had not made it through the Senate as of February 2019.

File:Flickr - DVIDSHUB - National Guardsmen Evacuate Florida Residents in Wake of Fay.jpg]]

Florida's climate change education standard states: "Identify, analyze, and relate the internal (earth system) and external (astronomical) conditions that contribute to global climate change." The standard falls short of the Next Generation Science Standards, which have been adopted by 20 states and the District of Columbia. The human-caused elements of climate change and role of human activity are treated "as an aside," according to a leader with the Alliance for Climate Education.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/education/article236866263.html#storylink=cpy|title=Climate change puts Florida at risk. Public schools not teaching it the right way, experts say|last=Sabella|first=Giuseppe|date=November 2, 2019|website=Bradenton Herald|access-date=2020-02-16}}

Miami-Dade County has built seawalls,{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/03/24/706295320/adapting-to-climate-change-in-miami|title=Adapting To Climate Change In Miami|last=Garcia-Navarro|first=Lulu|date=March 24, 2019|website=NPR.org|language=en|access-date=2020-02-26}} implemented an Urban {{CO2}} Reduction Plan,{{Cite web|url=http://www.miamidade.gov/environment/co2-reduction.asp|title=Urban {{CO2}} Reduction Plan|last=Miami-Dade County - Environment|date=2020|website=www.miamidade.gov|access-date=2020-02-16}} and participates in the South Florida Regional Climate Compact. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has pledged to make the city carbon neutral by 2050.

Pensacola has formed a Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Task Force which meets monthly.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityofpensacola.com/2900/Climate-Mitigation-and-Adaptation-Task-F|title=Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Task Force|website=City of Pensacola, Florida Official Website|access-date=2020-02-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2017/01/16/city-task-force-tackling-climate-change/96538896/|title=City task force tackling climate change|last=Robinson|first=Kevin|date=January 17, 2017|website=Pensacola News Journal|language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pnj.com/story/news/politics/2017/06/02/pensacola-climate-change-task-force-trump-paris-accord/362602001/|title=Pensacola climate change task force meets to curb local global warming impact|last=Baucum|first=Joseph|date=June 1, 2017|website=Pensacola News Journal|language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}}

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer was "one of the nation's first mayors to sign onto the Climate Mayors' Pledge." Orlando plans to convert its city vehicle fleet to alternative fuels by 2030.{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/so-why-do-so-many-of-its-residents-keep-voting-for-lawmakers-opposed-to-climate-policy/Content?oid=23804474|title=Florida will bear the brunt of climate change. Why do we keep voting for lawmakers without a plan?|last=Peters|first=Xander|website=Orlando Weekly|language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}}

Sarasota's Climate Adaption and Mitigation Center has been funded to work on "a curated database of peer-reviewed science to inform decision-making in academia, government and the private sector."{{Cite web|url=https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/news-and-profiles/2020/01/climate-adaption-and-mitigation-center-receives-tax-exempt-status|title=Climate Adaption and Mitigation Center Receives Tax-Exempt Status|website=Sarasota Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-16}}

In North Central Florida, where climate change denial is stronger, climate change efforts were starting to be visible in 2020 in Gainesville, Alachua County, St. Augustine and Jacksonville.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gainesville.com/opinion/20200117/chris-bird-living-with-climate-change-in-north-central-florida|title=Chris Bird: Living with climate change in North Central Florida|last=Bird|first=Chris|date=January 17, 2020|website=Gainesville Sun|language=en|access-date=2020-02-16}}

In Broward County's Oakland Park, drainage installed with a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant prevented damage to 400 homes during Hurricane Irma.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2018/03/14/florida-mitigation-projects-prove-successful|title=Florida Mitigation Projects Prove Successful|date=March 14, 2018|website=FEMA.gov|access-date=2020-02-16}}

Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason has said, "We're working hard to create solutions until we inevitably must retreat."{{Cite web|url=http://climate.miami.edu/politics-of-climate-change/the-city-beautiful-confronts-climate-change/|title=The City Beautiful Confronts Climate Change {{!}} Climate Change - a special report from the University of Miami|last=Castillo|first=Jessica M|date=2020|website=University of Miami|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-26}}

The South Florida Sun Sentinel, Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, along with WLRN Public Media, have formed a collaboration to cover climate change issues. The collaboration provides news and feature coverage, and a website created by its editorial boards titled: The Invading Sea, Florida and the Climate Crisis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theinvadingsea.com/about-us/|title=About Us|date=2019|website=The Invading Sea|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.niemanlab.org/2019/06/its-just-become-daily-news-six-florida-newsrooms-are-teaming-up-to-cover-climate-change/|title="It's just become daily news": Six Florida newsrooms are teaming up to cover climate change|website=Nieman Lab|access-date=2020-02-16}}

The Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact is a partnership between Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach Counties. Its goal is "to work collaboratively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, implement adaptation strategies, and build climate resilience."{{Cite web|url=https://southeastfloridaclimatecompact.org/|title=Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact|website=Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-16}}

The Florida Center for Environmental Studies at Florida Atlantic University has formed an Integrative Collaborative on Climate and Energy (ICCE) focused on issues of climate adaptation in Florida's urban and natural systems. Partners include the Florida Climate Initiative, the University of South Florida, and various government agencies.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ces.fau.edu/climate_change/|title=CES - Climate Change in South Florida|website=www.ces.fau.edu|access-date=2020-02-16}}

Miami has been described as "ground zero" for climate change and sea level rise."{{Cite web|url=http://climate.miami.edu/|title=Climate Change - a special report from the University of Miami|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-16}} The Miami-Dade County Office of Resilience has implemented climate programs and a Climate Action Plan,{{Cite web|url=http://www8.miamidade.gov/global/economy/resilience/county-climate-programs.page|title=Miami-Dade County Climate Programs|website=www8.miamidade.gov|access-date=2020-02-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.miamidade.gov/greenprint/pdf/climate_action_plan.pdf|title=Climate Action Plan|website=Miami Dade County}} and there is a Sea Level Rise Committee.{{Cite book|last=Ariza|first=Mario Alejandro|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1123233347|title=Disposable city : Miami's future on the shores of climate catastrophe|date=2020|publisher=Bold Type Books|isbn=978-1-5417-8846-6|edition=First|location=New York, NY|pages=255–260|oclc=1123233347}} Protecting the water supply and the Biscayne Aquifer is a priority.

• Climate of Florida
• Environment of Florida
• Climate change in the United States
• List of U.S. states and territories by carbon dioxide emissions
• Plug-in electric vehicles in Florida
• Neotropical realm
• Tropical climate
• Tropic of Cancer
• Tropics
• Tropical sprue

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite report|author1=Carter, L.|author2=A. Terando|author3=K. Dow|author4=K. Hiers|author5=K.E. Kunkel|author6=A. Lascurain|author7=D. Marcy|author8=M. Osland|author9=P. Schramm|year=2018|chapter=Southeast|title= Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II|editor1=Reidmiller, D.R.|editor2=C.W. Avery|editor3=D.R. Easterling|editor4=K.E. Kunkel|editor5=K.L.M. Lewis|editor6=T.K. Maycock|editor7=B.C. Stewart|publisher=U.S. Global Change Research Program|place=Washington, DC, USA|pages=872–940|doi= 10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH19|doi-access=free}}—this chapter of the National Climate Assessment covers Southeast states (Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana).
• {{Cite book|last=Ariza|first=Mario Alejandro|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1123233347|title=Disposable city : Miami's future on the shores of climate catastrophe|date=2020|publisher=Bold Type Books|isbn=978-1-5417-8846-6|edition=First|location=New York, NY|oclc=1123233347}}

• [https://floridaclimateinstitute.org/ Florida Climate Institute]
• [https://www.theinvadingsea.com/ The Invading Sea, Florida and the Climate Crisis]
• {{Cite web|url=http://www.miamidade.gov/environment/library/brochures/climate-change-and-florida.pdf|title=Climate Change and Florida|website=United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation|date=September 1997|access-date=2020-02-17}}
• {{Cite web|url=http://www.miamidade.gov/environment/library/brochures/climate-change-everglades.pdf|title=Climate Change and the Everglades - Case Study|website=United States Environmental Protection Agency / National Park Service / US Fish and Wildlife Service}}
• [https://mdc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=685a1c5e03c947d9a786df7b4ddb79d3 Miami-Dade County Flood Zones GIS Tool]

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{{Florida}}

Category:Environment of Florida

Category:Climate change in the United States

Florida