Miami, FL Climate Change

• https://www.miami.gov/My-Government/ClimateChange
• https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-08/documents/climate-change-fl.pdf
• https://www.wettropicsplan.org.au/my-backyard/cairns-region/changing-weather/
• https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/68371/far-north-qld-climate-change-impact-summary.pdf

Sources

Impacts of Climate Change

Similar Situation

Global Effects

Affecting the Region

Actions Taken

Miami, Florida

Global Effects

Because climatic factors such as temperature and rainfall play such an important role in determining the suitability of different areas for plants and animals, we can expect that changes in temperature and rainfall will change the suitability of the landscape for certain species and systems. The result of climate change will be new combinations of plants and animals, sometimes in new locations, challenging our concept of what is ‘natural’.

Actions

The City of Miami has committed to a community wide carbon neutrality by 2050. They have also partnered with various professional networks to understand and develop initiatives to continue moving in the right direction.

Impacts

With a rise in sea levels and warmer water temperatures there is an increase in the amount and severity of hurricanes in the area. This poses a risk to a large amount of residents in Miami, FL as these hurricanes can lead to property destruction and loss. Drastic changes in temperature have also lead to negative impacts on plants and wildlife in the area.

Cairns, Australia

Some low-lying communities, including Cairns, may face extensive inundation under the projected sea-level rise. Flooding, due to more intense extreme storms, could affect water, sewerage, storm water, transport and communications infrastructure. Although people in the Cairns area are used to living with high temperatures, we can expect that periods of extreme heat will become more common and even hotter.

Affecting the Region

WIth sea levels rising there is a greater chance of submerging dry and wetlands and erroding beaches along the coast. As temperatures continue to rise we can expect more severe storms, along with harmful effects to coral reefs and wildlife in the region. Cities, roads, railways, ports, and water supplies in the region also become vulnerable.