Climate change in Florida

The effects of climate change in Florida are attributable to man-made increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Floridians are experiencing increased flooding due to sea level rise, and are concerned about the possibility of more frequent or more intense hurricanes.[1]

The state has been described as America's "ground zero" for climate change, global warming and sea level rise, because "the majority of its population and economy is concentrated along low-elevation oceanfront."[2][3][4][5][6]

Florida residents think climate change is happening at higher rates than the national average. As of March 2023, about two-thirds of the state believes in anthropogenic climate change, up from 55% in April 2020.[7][8] However, the state remains politically divided: while Democrats have reached a general consensus on the issue, only half of Republicans agree and support teaching about climate change in schools.[9] Some communities in Florida have begun implementing climate change mitigation approaches; however, statewide initiatives have been hampered by the politicization of climate change in the United States, focusing on resilience rather than full scale mitigation and adaptation.[10]

  1. ^ The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board (2017-09-08). "Editorial: Gov. Scott's Irma leadership undercut by his climate denial". The Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
  2. ^ Bagley, Katharine (2014-03-13). "Climate Change Showdown in Florida Governor's Race". InsideClimate News. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
  3. ^ Grunwald, Michael (April 22, 2014). "Spending Earth Day at Ground Zero for Climate Change In America". Time. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
  4. ^ Editorials (August 1, 2015). "Ground Zero for climate change". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
  5. ^ Urdaneta, Diego (April 22, 2014). "Florida is 'Ground Zero' for sea level rise". phys.org. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
  6. ^ Morse, Hannah. "Florida is climate change 'ground zero.' But it lacks buzz ahead of presidential debate". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
  7. ^ "U.S. Public Views on Climate and Energy". Pew Research Center. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
  8. ^ "April 2020 Results : Florida Climate Resilience Survey April 2020". Center for Environmental Studies. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
  9. ^ "March 2023 Results : Florida Atlantic University - Center for Environmental Studies". www.ces.fau.edu. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  10. ^ "Florida's statewide climate change response ignores cause". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2023-06-17.