"Sea Level Rise Now" News Digest

Article Synopsis – In south Florida, Architects, planners, and developers are just beginning to overhaul the urban landscape, laying the groundwork for a sweeping transformation of building codes, municipal infrastructure, and design norms that could save the city from rising seas. Over the next five years, the municipality of Miami Beach will spend $400 to $500 million on flood defenses, installing 80 new pumps, raising roads, and strengthening seawalls across the city. More stringent building codes have also been put into place. Because saltwater rises up through south Florida’s porous limestone bedrock, it’s not just coastal communities that are at risk. Many of the most threatened areas lie miles inland, in suburban and often low-income areas of Miami-Dade and Broward County that can’t afford to elevate all their homes and streets. It’s unavoidable that there will be relocations. Besides the threat of natural disasters, the area could also face a collapse of the insurance and financial markets as banks may stop offering mortgages in some areas. That could have ripple effects across the region.

My Comment – This is a good article about the complex challenges many Florida communities face as rising sea level presents a very different threat than coastal storm surge and other short term flooding. As noted the driving force for change will likely be insurance and finance, as those risk sensitive industries consider the reality that rising sea level is now unstoppable. Some of the efforts noted are good, but still do not address the scope and magnitude of the challenge. Also we need to remember that this issue is not limited to Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. From Jacksonville, St. Augustine, down through the Keys, up the west coast of Florida, and particularly Tampa Bay, there is huge exposure. And it is not just Flordia, the problem will reach all coastal communities globally.
For the last year or so, I have appreciated the opportunity to work with the AIA – Florida to help guide awareness and understanding of the magnitude of the flooding. I think the next 5-10 years will see a considerable change in the awareness of coastal property values worldwide as people realize that all low lying property near the coasts is essentially “leasehold.” The ocean is in the landlord role, but can’t tell us exactly how many years remain on the lease. That will be determined by how aggressively we reduce greenhouse gases that are warming the planet, causing the ice to melt, and the seas to rise. To read the actual article click here.