As
a state that prides itself on its pristine shorelines and valuable waterways,
Florida has more to lose from a rising sea level than any other state in the
United States. According to the United
States Geological Survey, the average elevation in the state of Florida is 100
feet with nearly half of the state close to or at sea level. Currently, the US National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is reporting the sea level is increasing at
about 1.25 inches per decade. As you can
probably tell, this poses a huge problem for Florida if there is any sort of
increase in sea level. A rapid sea level
rise could even eliminate some barrier islands that have had a critical place
in protecting inland habitats. The
rising sea level would force many of Florida’s species to depart into entirely
new ecosystems all across the state and into neighboring regions.
There
are two major causes of global sea-level rise: thermal expansion caused
by the warming of the oceans, and the loss of land-based ice, such as glaciers
and polar ice caps, through increased melting.
The effect of the increase in sea level not only poses a threat to our
precious beaches and shorelines, but it also potentially has an enormous effect
on the state’s economy. In 2011, Florida
had over 87 million visitors, mostly here to enjoy the white sandy beaches
Florida has to offer. If sea level
continues to rise at an exponentially alarming rate, it could devastate what makes
Florida famous and what makes Floridians flourish. According to the US Census, in 2008, 75.7
percent of Florida’s population was living in coastal counties. Not only do Floridians value the coastline
for our tourism industry, but it also plays an essential role for our residents.
Even a small rise in sea level will have
side effects far beyond disappearing shorelines, including: flooding during
rainstorms, storm surges from hurricanes, and saltwater intrusion into
aquifers. Whether the increase in
climate is due to human activity or a natural cycle, a global sea-level rise will
not only affect Florida’s natural magnificent beaches, but the communities we
have grown to treasure.
-Adam
Gruszcynski, Legal Intern
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