Climate Action in the Florida Keys: Why Our Coastlines Can't Wait

 "Water doesn't rise because we want it to, it rises because we let it."

That's the reality with my community here in the Florida Keys: every king tide, every hurricane season, every horrible flood reminds us we are living in climate change. And as the few of us who chose to live where the sun sets over the water, we all care about the home we share. But sadly caring isn't enough if we don't act. 

 

King Tide flooding has become very common in the Florida Keys, turning once dry streets into complete saltwater alleyways. 

A crisis Under the Surface

Over the past decade, the Florida Keys has experienced a heavy increase in tidal flooding. Known as "sunny day flooding." King tides - the highest tides that happen due to the moon - now have water coming through the drains, into streets and in yards. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, sea levels along the Alantic coast near Key West have seen about 9 inches since 1950, and the rate of rise is increasing fast. 
Still it's not just the high water marks. The profitable and social results are real. Our homes and businesses down here start to lose value when flood insurance rates grow. Roads, drains, sewer systems, all start to wear out. And for people already suffering with high cost of living in the Keys, a rainy day that becomes more then an overcast cloud puts more stress on what's already stressful enough. 

NOAA data shows sea levels near Key West have risen 9 inches since 1950, with predictions of increase happening. 

Why This Matters to Us

Most would say that sea level rise is a little problem. But to the locals it's not. Key West in general, the data from Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center gives that sunny day flooding an increase by more than 300% since 2000. Imagine you plan a day around the weather app wondering if it's going to rain or not because you know that just a little rain will have a street underwater. Think about the tourists who fund Key West. They come down here to have a good time, when in the end they paid for a horrible experience. The seniors on fixed incomes trying to pay for repeated damages after every storm. For many of our neighbors, it's a reality. I understand you all reading are not experts or know any of this, I just hope it gets your attention to the problems we face in the Keys. 

What Our Local Government Can Do

Good news is solutions are a thing. These all don't require federal action or huge taxes. 

Local leadership can simply be: 

Prioritize and fund infrastructure 

Investing rased roads, upgrade the drains, and new paved raods can reduce flooding. 

Update building and zoning codes

Higher elevation with to new construcrtion, apartments, and businesses can help with future situations to damages and lower insurance costs. 

Protect and restore natural defenses

Our mangroves, the coral reefs, and marshes we have suffer from helping with the storm surge and erosion we get from having hot air. 

These steps aren't just for good policy, they are cost efficient. A study was published about Natural Climate Change that every 1$ invested saves $6 in future disaster costs. 

Mongroves and wetlands provide as a natural protectamt to us, reducing storm surges and erosion from storms.

 Facing the Resistance

I'm aware some will disagree on "Why should we spend money on problems that can get better later?" Just think and consider this. Homeowners insurance just in Florida are some of the highest in the nation, right, and that's before the impacts of climate change damages. Now think about living on an island, you can bet prices are it's through the roof. Waiting action doesn't save money, it makes us pay more on more damages later. In both the dollar and community area. Others feel very overwhelmed by this, it's too big of an issue for one city or county to handle. Just saying I've seen it first hand with community involvement here in the Keys. Volunteers planting trees, neighbors giving out sandbags for peoples doors, schools teaching kids about the environment around them. If our local governements work with us, not us just working for them, progress can be made faster together. 

A positive Path Forward

This isn't about fear, it's about opportunity. Communities that act now will be strogner, healthier, and safer. Picture the Keys in full swing with visitors coming for the amazing sunsets here, booking tours to see the reef, going on charters to fish and explore our mangroves in person. A place where families stay because we saved our neighborhoods with staying strong and full of life. Us waiting any longer than needed, our water will cover our streets, and it will be too late. We need to act now and save the Florida Keys while we have the opportunity to. 

Call to Action

Here's what you can do today:

• Attend the next city council meeting and ask for a seawall report
• Support canidates who prioritize climate solutions 
• Volunteer with local organizations working to protect and educate others

Local resources include: 

• Florida Keys Community Climate Action Group
• Wetlands Restoration Alliance
• Key West Resilience Task Force

Community involvement is important when building a positive future in the Florida Keys.

Key West is not just a background for photos to be taken, it's more than that, it's about a small town making big community changes. The future of the Florida Keys is not decided by the tide changes. It's decided by the choices we are acting on right now. Locals taking time out of their day, voicing their leadership, and our community involvement really brings us together and makes our home vibrant and continues to be livable for generation to come. Lets protect it while we can. 

References 

• NOAA Sea Level Trends (Key West) https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/sltrends/sltrends_station.shtml?stnid=8724580

• SouthEast Climate Adaptation Science Center https://secasc.ncsu.edu/

• Nature Climate Change https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate2972