Why does climate change matter to Florida ?
” Florida is in the cross hairs of climate change, which is expected to bring not just more heat but also more flooding, stronger hurricanes, more toxic algae blooms and other woes to the Sunshine State. ” – Tampa Bay Times (2019)
Tampa Bay is located on the West Coast of Florida where there are risks of high sea level rises, natural disasters such as hurricanes or tornadoes. Tampa Bay is also that is very prone to storm surges.
Issues with Sea Level Rise
Currently in Florida the sea levels have rise 8 inches since 1950 and the speed of the rising water has only sped up. As of right now sea level is rising an inch every three years.
credits : sealevelrise.org
In Florida the bed rock is limestone which acts like a sponge which a porous material that allows water to seem through it. The bed rock adds on to the effects caused by sea level rise.
Credits : sealevelrise.org
Current Situation Possible Solution
Tampa Bay has not been directly hit by a major hurricane since 1921 where it pushed in a flood of 11 feet and took eight lives. Back then the population of Tampa was about 50,000 and now it is in 3.4 million. What would happen if a category 5 hurricane hit the bay? The results would be catastrophic.
Credits : Vox
Storm surges are something that will often hit Tampa Bay here are some maps/data of counties which get affected by storm surges: Link
What is being done about it ?
The city of Tampa Bay which currently has a population of 3.1 million has begun steps in understanding climate change and its causes. What can be done? and understanding to move towards a resilient future. Four in every five people from Florida know about climate change and it’s affects.
The Tampa bay regional planning council (TBRPC) an association of local governments and gubernatorial representatives has setup a up a number of programs which include: Decision Support, Economic Development, Emergency management, Environmental planing and Resiliency.
Cost-conscious Storm preparation The cost-conscious Storm preparation is essentially a checklist prepared by TBRPC and The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to inform or make the citizens of Florida of what to prepare before a hurricane or tornado hits. The document also provides information specific to people from different counties and how to get access to that information.
TBRPC Emergency Management Program
The emergency management program is a program that is part of the official regional awareness program, where they inform the local community on how to protect themselves, protect their businesses, community protection and community involvement.
The TBRPC have also come up with an All Hazards disaster planning guide which include hazards, including floods, tornadoes, hazardous materials, and terrorism which is freely available to anyone both in hard copies (specific locations) and soft copies on their website.
Tampa Bay Catastrophic Plan
“The Tampa Bay Catastrophic Plan was a document created to address the challenges of response and recovery during a catastrophic event in the Tampa Bay area.” – Tampa Bay Catastrophic Plan
Hazard Mitigation
Each county in Tampa develops a Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) These plans are made or developed so as to reduce or eliminate risks involving natural or man-made hazards. These plans have to be made in agreement with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) which is a system for collaboration between local and state authorities that understands and encourages the urgency for pre-disater planing, mitigation, and finding funds for projects through grant opportunities by the Federal government.
Agency on Bay Management
The Agency on Bay Management (ABM) is the committee for natural resources for the TBPRC which mainly handles the community organization for the protection of the Tampa Bay estuary. The ABM is a compilation of people or individuals from various departments usch as recreation, commercial fisheries, industrial, regulatory, academic and scientific sectors, local, regional, state and federal governments that serves an open discussion panel where issues and opportunities about and for the estuary are discussed.
Bay Surroundings
Bay surroundings is the environmental news group of Tampa Bay. It is a website where one can find information on nature events, festivals and awareness. It is also where one can find articles, journals, books and lots more information on climate change, on going environmental issues.
Figure ground study of Tampa Bay, Florida. Source: Mapbox
How is the youth integrated into the idea of battling climate change?
About 21.7% of the population is under the age of 18. In a city like Tampa with high risks of natural disasters and climate change, it is important to include the youth as it for their future that everyone is working for and for that exact reason the youth should be educated in climate change.
Tampa Bay Sierra Club
The Tampa Bay Sierra Club consist of more than 2,700 supporters and members from the main counties all in the same goal of protecting the environment, identifying delicate spots in the environment and surroundings of Tampa.
“Our mission is to enjoy, explore and protect the natural places in Florida, to teach others to understand and respect the fragile environment in which we live, and to practice and promote the responsible use of Florida’s ecosystems and resources. Our group aims to provide access, education and community support for citizens’ concerns of the environment in the Tampa Bay area.” – Sierra Club Tampa Bay
Youth Climate Strike
“We, the youth of America, are striking because the science says we have just a few years to transform our energy system, reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and prevent the worst effects of climate change. We are striking because our world leaders have yet to acknowledge, prioritize, or properly address our climate crisis. We are striking because marginalized communities across our nation —especially communities of color, disabled communities, and low- income communities— are already disproportionately impacted by climate change. We are striking because if the social order is disrupted by our refusal to attend school, then the system is forced to face the climate crisis and enact change. With our futures at stake, we call for radical legislative action to combat climate change and its countless detrimental effects on the American people. We are striking for the Green New Deal, for a fair and just transition to a 100% renewable economy, and for ending the creation of additional fossil fuel infrastructure. Additionally, we believe the climate crisis should be declared a national emergency because we are running out of time” – Youth Climate Strike
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