Climate Science Investigations South Florida (2023)

FAQs

What is happening in Florida that is evidence of climate change? ›

Florida's climate is changing. The Florida peninsula has warmed more than one degree (F) during the last century. The sea is rising about one inch every decade, and heavy rainstorms are becoming more se- vere.

NASA is a global leader in studying Earth's changing climate. The agency's observations of our home planet from space, the air, and on the ground are helping us learn how the interconnected systems of our planet interact. The agency has a broad climate research program.

NASA is an expert in climate and Earth science. While its role is not to set climate policy or prescribe particular responses or solutions to climate change, its job does include providing the scientific data needed to understand climate change.

Climate Risks for Cities in Florida

Of these top cities in Florida, the city with the highest overall risk is Jacksonville. The city with the lowest overall risk is Cape Coral.

Sea level rise projections from the Interagency Sea Level Rise Scenario Tool (published by NASA's Sea Level Change Team) indicate that Key West could experience between 0.45 and 2.16 meters (1 and 7 feet) of sea level rise by 2100.

of aggressive climate change policies is that humanity is always about 10 years away from either catastrophic climate change, or some greenhouse gas emission “tipping point” at which such change will become inevitable.

If you'd like to prepare for a climate career, consider a major that immerses you in the study of the environment and ecology. Students who choose a specific focus — such as atmospheric science, marine biology, or horticulture — can contribute their unique expertise toward mitigating climate change.

Global average temperatures have risen and weather extremes have already seen an uptick, so the short answer to whether it's too late to stop climate change is: yes.

1. Afghanistan. Between 1950 and 2010, the temperatures in Afghanistan increased by 1.8ºC, and an optimistic view of the climate crisis in the country still shows a minimum increase of 1.4°C by 2050 (the worst case scenario would see a 6ºC increase by the end of this century).

Is Earth getting greener NASA? ›

Earth has continued to grow green since the turn of the century and this could help moderate global warming, according to new maps released by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA).

The main threats of climate change, stemming from the rising temperature of Earth's atmosphere include rising sea levels, ecosystem collapse and more frequent and severe weather. Rising temperatures from human-caused greenhouse gas emissions affects planet-wide systems in various ways.

Global warming increases the risk of more frequent—and heavier—rainfall, snowfall, and other precipitation. And as that risk increases, so too does the risk of flooding.

Most of greater Miami, the Florida Keys, and Fort Lauderdale are in that highly vulnerable zone. However, Orlando, the vacation mecca in the middle of the state is 82 feet (25 meters) above sea level and not at all vulnerable. Tallahassee, the capital, is more than 200 feet above sea level.

Miami Beach has been the poster city for sea-level rise for some time, and for good reason. By 2100, 98% of buildings in the city could be below sea level. A mild hurricane would likely flood the whole city.

Overall, sea level rise is making the odds of a South Florida flood reaching more than 4 feet above high tide, by 2050, on par with the odds of losing at Russian roulette. More than half the population of more than 100 Florida towns and cities lives on land below that 4-foot line.

Pollution and Water Quality

Essentially, due to runoff and pollution algae blooms are disturbing the aquatic ecosystems. When this algae coats the surface of the water, the plants underneath no longer have enough access to sunlight and oxygen.

Florida Is Not Disappearing Tomorrow

Global warming, the melting of the polar ice caps, and the porous limestone are big problems for Florida. However, this is a problem that will slowly get worse over the course of the century and will not render large parts of the state uninhabitable in the near term.

How hot will Florida be in 20 years? ›

Historical and Projected Temperature Trends in Florida

In the next 20 years, average summer temperatures are projected to rise above 83°F under both moderate and high emissions scenarios.

The chief factors that govern Florida's climate are latitude, land and water distribution, prevailing winds, storms, pressure systems and ocean currents. Although no place in Florida is far from sea level, during the winter altitude can be a significant local factor in affecting temperature.

Sea level rise could leave some roads in the Florida Keys underwater by 2025, and fixing the flood threat comes at a staggeringly high cost. Take a look.

By 2100, large swaths of coastal land in Florida will be permanently submerged. In the shorter term, rising seas will increase the frequency and severity of coastal flooding. Statewide, three feet of flooding puts at risk: Future sea level depends on greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric / oceanic processes.

Michigan, says globalization expert. A new book examining the forces shaping the future of global migration forecasts Michigan as the best place in the world to live in 2050.

A report released Monday from the nonprofit climate research group First Street Foundation found that Miami-Dade leads the nation as the county that could see the sharpest increase in dangerous hot days over the next 30 years, when the U.S. could be an average of 3 degrees hotter.

It found that an estimated 4.3 million acres — an area nearly the size of Connecticut — will be underwater by 2050, including $35 billion worth of real estate.

One, peninsulas are naturally warmer than mainlands because the adjacent water absorbs the sun's warmth and heats up the land it surrounds. And two, Florida's land is 75% coastal and as air moves across the warm water it picks up heat and water vapors, making Florida the most humid in the country.