Abstract
Rising sea levels endanger towns throughout South Florida, necessitating immediate action to adapt. This article examines the present state-led initiatives to mitigate growing flooding and concludes that, while essential first steps, more than existing policies are needed to meet the region’s long-term demands. As ocean levels rise at an alarming rate, exceeding global estimates, vulnerable coastal ecosystems and densely inhabited metro regions from Miami to the Florida Keys face a complicated dilemma necessitating more extensive preparations. Following a summary of occurring climate impacts, assessed using localized projection models, the report examines current adaptation plans established by Governor DeSantis. These include updated construction codes, infrastructure improvements to increase stormwater drainage, and plans to raise roads. However, the paper contends that such predominantly engineering-focused measures will continue falling behind without a broader strategy that targets carbon emissions reduction, ecological restoration, emergency management reform, and assistance for those displaced by a changing coastline. Outlining each component, an enhanced action plan is proposed to match the scale of the challenge. The conclusion underscores that warming seas’ glacial melt and thermal expansion will continue elevating water levels for centuries. With trillions in real estate and invaluable natural habitats facing calamitous threats, the paper argues South Florida cannot afford a constrained policy approach. To protect communities for generations to come, the Sunshine State must accept environmental realities and consider research findings.
Keywords: Rising, sea, levels, South, Florida, ecosystems, Sunshine, glacial, melt.
When the Rains Fall & the Floods Come
Miami-Dade County already endures chronic flooding during king tides and increasingly regular storms. As climate change accelerates the rise of sea levels, the region faces amplified flooding, carrying massive costs. Alarmingly, satellite observations reveal that sea levels around Florida have risen about 8 inches since 1950, with the rate of increase doubling over the last decade (Florida Climate Center, 2022). Models project levels could rise another 10-17 inches by 2040, leaving hundreds of miles vulnerable (Sealevelrise.org, 2022). While Florida politicians highlight recent infrastructure projects and building codes as major progress, the literature indicates a significant protection gap. Adaptation efforts to date seem disconnected and reactive rather than the systematic, forward-looking approach demanded. With millions at risk, strategies emphasizing infrastructure, governance reform, and public education provide South Florida the best possibility for resilience.
Infrastructure lies at the forefront of environmental resilience, yet current projects fail to match the advancing threat. Miami-Dade details plans to elevate roads, install pumps, and upgrade stormwater systems across the county (Miami-Dade, n.d.). The South Florida Water Management District is revising canals and levees surrounding Lake Okeechobee and trying to curtail saltwater intrusion. While constructive first steps, research suggests the efforts are insufficient. Initiatives only cover 31% of the critical infrastructure exposed by 2040, leaving schools, hospitals, transit, and neighborhoods unprotected. Ambitious, coordinated infrastructure is vital, with king tides already inundating Miami Beach streets over a hundred days annually. Alongside roads and stormwater networks, green infrastructure utilizing natural features like mangroves and wetlands requires integration as cost-effective, ecologically beneficial buffers (Florida Climate Center, 2022).
Community involvement extends beyond individual efforts and includes mobilizing for local resilience. While residents can create green infrastructure or elevate houses reactively, grassroots groups enable neighborhoods to shape changes proactively. For example, the Shore Crest Community Association worked with the City of Miami to create an innovative stormwater park that combined drainage infrastructure with recreational space while safeguarding 150 surrounding residences. The park, built and opened in 2021 through fundraising and volunteer work, demonstrates the potential of citizens-city partnerships. Community resilience networks such as 100 Resilient Cities enable local leaders and non-profits to share expertise and financing opportunities, thus sparking projects. Only by bringing communities together across sectors and classes can holistic resilience strategies emerge block by block, ensuring neighborhoods remain livable despite increasing sea levels.
Restructuring the dispersed government could be advantageous when coupled with infrastructure. The Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection was established by the Florida Legislature during Hurricane Irma to manage the adaptation efforts of the state, including building rules; however, jurisdiction is still split across departments. Effective management employing integrated resilience councils facilitates fair and well-thought-out local planning. Majumbde et al. (2021) suggest using resilience zones to identify safeguards, avoiding recurring losses in places identified as high-risk. The annual politics versus scientifically-guided investment wrangles result in the criticism of appropriate funding allocation. Despite coordinated governance bearing sweet fruits in fundamental fund allocation, political goodwill is necessary, especially when considering scientifically guided investments. The oversight required for the general changes needed by the South Florida environment is provided by combined leadership.
Community education and engagement are critical for effective action. Citizens accepting the realities of rising seas, risks, and responses enables political will for transformative policies, even if expensive initially. Communication should emphasize sea level rise as not a theoretical scenario but a current, accelerating crisis through virtual modeling of future flooding (Majumbder, 2021) and advocate for participatory modeling. Long-term preparation and climate-conscious voting are encouraged by seeing possible future exposures, which is advantageous for South Florida. Education can also empower residents to contribute positively to joint efforts through friendly and ecological improvements on private land that absorb runoff. Public education campaigns are still required for broad adoption despite permeable roads and rain gardens having been created by grassroots initiatives. A knowledgeable and involved community is necessary for sustainable adaptation.
Although very commendable, Florida’s efforts are insufficient to address the enormity and complexity of the problem. For example, porous limestone bedrock presents unique challenges because Florida’s topography allows water to flow in and under seawalls. This threatens the effectiveness of traditional flood protection methods and requires innovative approaches to protect coastal areas. In addition, rapid sea level rise and increasing frequency of tidal damage are increasing the urgency for more comprehensive and proactive measures. A thorough review of South Florida’s infrastructure and governance is a logical starting point to address flooding. Residents must be correspondingly informed and endowed to address this generational challenge to guarantee resilience. Adaptation remains multifaceted and complicated, given the political and economic tensions between current costs and future expenditure avoidance.
Nonetheless, increasing sea levels are no longer an abstraction for areas like South Florida but a flooding reality. Jagger states, “Climate change is not just an environmental threat but a critical human rights issue which touches every aspect of our lives: peace, security, poverty, hunger, health, mass migration and economics” (Jagger, 2011). Innovation and joint efforts in infrastructure, governance, and public engagement afford the diverse responses needed to protect South Florida’s future. When it rains and floods occur, communities must be all set.
References
Florida Climate Center. (n.d.). Sea level rise. https://climatecenter.fsu.edu/topics/sea-level-rise#:~:text=Satellite%20altimetry%20data%20indicate%20that,rate%20of%20sea%20level%20rise
Jagger, B. (2011, May 25). Libguides: Climate change resources: Home. LibGuides at Miami Dade College Learning Resources. https://libraryguides.mdc.edu/climatechange
Majumbder, B., Kelly, C., Garcia, S., Arditi-Rocha, Y., & Erwin, K. (2021, March 16). Securing a safe, just, and climate-ready future for Florida. Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/securing-safe-just-climate-ready-future-florida/
Miami Dade. (n.d.). Sea level rise and flooding. Miami Dade County. https://www.miamidade.gov/global/economy/resilience/sea-level-rise-flooding.page
Miami Dade. (n.d.). Sea level rise and flooding. Miamidade.gov. https://www.miamidade.gov/global/economy/resilience/sea-level-rise-flooding.page
SeaLevelRise.org. (n.d.). Florida’s sea level is rising. Sea Level Rise. https://sealevelrise.org/states/florida/
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