Environment: Sea rise becoming more and more daunting for Florida
Influencer Chairman: Julie Wraithmell.
Influencer Members: Xavier Cortada, Steve Davis, Michelle Suskauer.
The Question: How should Florida’s leaders approach the state’s environmental challenges, including climate change and its effects on the state, as well as Everglades restoration.
Summary of the broader survey findings:
Among the Florida Influencers, there was a strong consensus that some sort of change to benefit the environment should be at least considered, if not made, soon.
One idea Influencers had was to limit coastal development in Florida. More than half (59%) of the Influencers say that because hurricanes are likely to become more intense and the sea continues to rise, the state should take this kind of action.
When it comes to building codes, 59% of Influencers said Florida should adapt as weather becomes more extreme.
Other Influencers suggested that the state should instead focus on curbing what causes sea level rise and making buildings more resilient instead of stopping development altogether.
Statement summarizing the views of the working group regarding the issue:
Florida is the country’s third most populous state and growing exponentially. We are in a state of environmental crisis. Environmental threats include sea level rise, declining water quality, water scarcity, toxic algae, and the loss of habitat for our signature wildlife, all of which threaten our quality of life. There is no state whose prosperity is more dependent upon the health of its environmental resources — from property values, to water supply, to tourism, to the health of our residents. Recognizing the direct connection between economic and environmental health in Florida, we strongly believe that the environment requires a commensurate position in our state decision-making. Nearly all of Florida’s issues must be viewed through an environmental lens, and decision-makers must carefully consider not only the cost of regulations but also the costs of inaction. Florida has always been a source of innovation and adaptation. With visionary leadership and some shared adversity, we can avoid the worst impacts of climate change and ensure Florida’s future prosperity.
Potential solutions:
▪ Climate: Empower Chief Science and Resilience officers to conduct an annual State climate assessment including an assessment of managed retreat options, resilience baselines and benchmarks so we can track progress on implementation.
▪ Water: Regulations protecting our water often get a bad name because of the expense to regulated interests. However, all Floridians suffer the consequences of inaction, including economic losses. Account for sources of pollution and ensure that regulation and restoration expenses are distributed equitably.
▪ Land Use: At a time when population growth, immigration and climate-driven migration are only increasing the pressure for landscape conversion, we need comprehensive growth planning and management at the state level, prioritizing resilient locations, density, central sewer, and mass transit.
What questions will the Governor and Legislature need to answer to make progress on this issue?:
▪ Every Floridian is part of the solution. How can state government best lead by example in acknowledging our environmental vulnerabilities and pushing for solutions?
▪ What infrastructure will be needed be to address Florida’s present and future environmental challenges—managing retreat from sea level rise, protecting water quality, and implementing renewable energy generation at scale?
▪ How do we phase these improvements, and what future funding sources are most viable and equitable?
Florida Influencers make recommendations to governor and legislature for state’s issues
