Climate Change Infographic

References

• Coastal cities worldwide are seeing similar effects, with rising sea levels a growing concern in coastal and low-lying regions like Miami, Venice, and Amsterdamn.

• Because of their place in the economy, globally and locally, the Florida Keys create an economic ripple effect worldwide. This ripple would affect tourism, as well as industries like agriculture and fishing, which thrive in South Florida.

• With rising sea levels, the tourism industry in the Keys, as well as the entire state of Florida would see massive impacts. With less area for hotels, businesses, beaches and more and the risk of extreme weather, the economy would be impacted.

Worldwide Impacts

Rising Sea Levels

Species Extinction

Global climate change is impacting cities around the world. Some direct effects in the Keys are...

Effects on the Keys

Salt Water Intrusion

Hurricanes

In 2017, Key West was braced for Hurricane Irma's impact, but "a wobble" in the projected path saved the city from more intense damage. Still, one of the main roads was left 18 inches underwater.

Extreme Hot Days

Rain Storms

Rising Risks

Florida, USA

The Florida Keys

Ocean Acidification

Permanent Inundation

What's being done?

Like many coastal cities, Key West has adopted a "climate adaptation plan", which focuses specifically on threats like like sea level rise, storm surge, extreme flooding, and heat. Some of these measures include flood mapping, and protection of critical facilities like hospitals, water and power resources, and more.

According to NASA's Earth Observatory, by the year 2100, Key West could experience between 0.45 and 2.16 meters of sea level rise.

City at Risk

According to the Carbon Disclosure Project, Key West is at significant risk from to climate change due to the factors below

References

-Carbon Disclousure Project. (n.d.). Cities at risk: dealing with the pressures of climate change. CDP. https://www.cdp.net/en/research/global-reports/cities-at-risk

-City of Key West Building Department. (n.d.). Hurricane Irma. City of Key West. https://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/244/Hurricane-Irma.

-Pinson, J. (2024, July 9). First local extinction in the U.S. due to sea level rise. Florida Museum. https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/first-local-extinction-in-the-u-s-due-to-sea-level-rise/

-NASA Earth Observatory. (n.d.). The Changing Seas of the Florida Keys. NASA. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/149886/the-changing-seas-of-the-florida-keys

-City of Key West. (n.d.). Adaptation & Resilience. City of Key West. https://cityofkeywest-fl.gov/898/Adaptation-Resilience.

My favorite fiber arts are knitting, crochet, quilting, and embroidery!

Researchers believe we may have lost the first species in the United States due to sea level rise: the Key Largo tree cactus. After impacts from Hurricane Irma, king tides, and salt water intrusion, already small populations of the plant are now down to only 6 small plants in the hands of researchers.