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adapt. Ocean acidification will weaken the ability of marine organisms to build
additional reefs.
Endangerment of Tidal Wetlands and Treasured Biodiversity. Coastal wetlands are
one of the most valuable and the most rapidly disappearing ecosystems. MiamiDade County’s coastal wetlands are at risk to projected sea level rise. Salt marshes and mangroves, the two most common coastal wetland types, can withstand
rising seas provided that the sediment beneath them builds up at the same rate as
sea level rises or that they have a place to migrate to. Otherwise, if their coastal
Figure 1. An idealized model of the natural greenhouse effect.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2007.
Source: South Florida
Water Management District
It is important to understand one
basic fact about climate change:
the level of energy emissions is
directly related to the rate of climate change. If the demand for
energy can be reduced, the level
of emissions, and therefore the
rate of climate change, can be
reduced as well.
Source: South Florida
Regional Planning Council
migration is blocked by bluffs, coastal development, or shoreline protection structures, then they will be
“squeezed” out of existence as they are submerged by rising seas. Because Miami-Dade County has a highly
developed shoreline, there will be areas of the County where coastal wetlands will have no where to go, unless
planning measures are enacted.
Biodiversity refers to the richness of plant and animal life that currently inhabits our environment. South Florida’s
plant and animal systems already face myriad challenges: invasive, non-native species; habitat loss and habitat fragmentation through land development; and exposure to pollution. Several imperiled plant communities
in Miami-Dade County are particularly susceptible to climate change impacts: its pine rocklands, tropical hardwood hammocks and scrub.
Shifting Plants and Animals. Average temperature and rainfall, both quantity and timing, help determine what
types of plants and animals live in South Florida. Changing climate will change or eliminate the areas suitable
for many of South Florida’s native plants and animals. Plants and animals will typically migrate to more hospitable areas, when their habitat changes. Because Miami-Dade County is a highly populous urbanized county with limited
natural lands,
the potential for
animals and
plants to relocate within its
boundaries is
limited.
Benefits of a Healthy Ecosystem. South
Florida’s plants and animals play an essential
role in creating a healthy environment for you
and your family by simply carrying out their
ecological function. For example, South
Florida’s mangroves, which thrive along the
coast in brackish water, serve as nurseries for
our fishing industry, protect the shoreline, help
buffer South Florida from hurricanes, and
remove carbon dioxide from the environment.
Coastal wetlands help filter upland runoff and
freshwater entering the bays by removing soil
and other particles that are harmful to coral
reefs and seagrass beds. This important function of the natural infrastructure will be lost if
sea levels rise too quickly.
Everglades Restoration Complications. South
Florida is partnering with the state and federal
governments to restore and protect the Florida
Everglades. The Comprehensive Everglades
Restoration Plan (CERP) is designed to restore
the historic sheet flow of water across the
Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades ecosystem, restoring natural habitats and helping to
protect the region’s water supply. Global climate change will make this historic restoration
effort more difficult and costly to complete.
Increased Risk of Wildfire. Due to a likely elevated risk of droughts, forested areas and the
portions of the Everglades in Miami-Dade
County will likely experience more wildfire
events.
The good news is that we can all do our part to
reduce our carbon emissions. Proactive planning and preparedness measures can be
taken by government, the private sector and
citizens to lessen the rate of climate change by
cutting carbon emissions. Scientists tell us that
if we cut our emissions, we can stabilize levels of carbon in the atmosphere and prevent severe climate and weather shifts from occurring.
Positive changes come with small steps!
Be a steward of your planet today and for future generations to come! Miami-Dade County and the State of Florida are doing
their parts. The County has appointed a Climate Change Advisory Task Force to plan for the future and recommend a climate
action plan to the Board of County Commissioners. Florida Governor, Charlie Crist, is committed to addressing this issue at the
State level. The Governor recently signed Executive Orders for action at the Climate Change Summit in Miami on July 13, 2007.
Please contact the South Florida Regional Planning Council with questions and comments related to this fact sheet:
[email protected] or 954-985-4416
This fact sheet and the Climate Change Community Toolbox were made possible with the generous support of the
Florida Department of Community Affairs.
Source: National Park
Service
What you and your family can do today to slow climate change
1. Use Fluorescent Light Bulbs: one fluorescent light bulb can last as long as thirteen regular light
bulbs, and use only a fraction of the energy.
2. Drive Fuel Efficient Cars: Not only will you save money on gasoline, but you will reduce the
level of carbon dioxide emissions from your car and help reduce global warming.
3. Air Dry Dishes: Instead of running the heated drying cycle on your home dishwasher, air drying
your plates, bowls, utensils, etc. on a dish rack reduces the amount of energy being consumed.
4. Turn Down Your Hot Water Heater: Reducing the temperature on your hot water to 120
degrees saves energy, and energy-related costs.
5. Wash in Cold Water: If you use the proper detergent, washing in cold water instead of hot
can get your clothes just as clean, while using less energy and reducing overall energy
demand and costs.
6. Carpool: Carpooling to work or school reduces the number of vehicles on the road, reduces
carbon dioxide emissions, and save gas. An alternative to carpooling is public transportation.
Another option is to walk or ride a bicycle if your destination is nearby.
7. Regulate Home Temperature: Setting your home thermostat comfortably low during cooler
months and comfortably high during warmer months can greatly reduce energy demand
and energy emissions.
8. Only Do Full Loads: Washing only full loads of dishes or clothes reduces the overall number of

adapt. Ocean acidification will weaken the ability of marine organisms to build

additional reefs.

Endangerment of Tidal Wetlands and Treasured Biodiversity. Coastal wetlands are

one of the most valuable and the most rapidly disappearing ecosystems. MiamiDade County’s coastal wetlands are at risk to projected sea level rise. Salt marshes and mangroves, the two most common coastal wetland types, can withstand

rising seas provided that the sediment beneath them builds up at the same rate as

sea level rises or that they have a place to migrate to. Otherwise, if their coastal

Figure 1. An idealized model of the natural greenhouse effect.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2007.

Source: South Florida

Water Management District

It is important to understand one

basic fact about climate change:

the level of energy emissions is

directly related to the rate of climate change. If the demand for

energy can be reduced, the level

of emissions, and therefore the

rate of climate change, can be

reduced as well.

Source: South Florida

Regional Planning Council

migration is blocked by bluffs, coastal development, or shoreline protection structures, then they will be

“squeezed” out of existence as they are submerged by rising seas. Because Miami-Dade County has a highly

developed shoreline, there will be areas of the County where coastal wetlands will have no where to go, unless

planning measures are enacted.

Biodiversity refers to the richness of plant and animal life that currently inhabits our environment. South Florida’s

plant and animal systems already face myriad challenges: invasive, non-native species; habitat loss and habitat fragmentation through land development; and exposure to pollution. Several imperiled plant communities

in Miami-Dade County are particularly susceptible to climate change impacts: its pine rocklands, tropical hardwood hammocks and scrub.

Shifting Plants and Animals. Average temperature and rainfall, both quantity and timing, help determine what

types of plants and animals live in South Florida. Changing climate will change or eliminate the areas suitable

for many of South Florida’s native plants and animals. Plants and animals will typically migrate to more hospitable areas, when their habitat changes. Because Miami-Dade County is a highly populous urbanized county with limited

natural lands,

the potential for

animals and

plants to relocate within its

boundaries is

limited.

Benefits of a Healthy Ecosystem. South

Florida’s plants and animals play an essential

role in creating a healthy environment for you

and your family by simply carrying out their

ecological function. For example, South

Florida’s mangroves, which thrive along the

coast in brackish water, serve as nurseries for

our fishing industry, protect the shoreline, help

buffer South Florida from hurricanes, and

remove carbon dioxide from the environment.

Coastal wetlands help filter upland runoff and

freshwater entering the bays by removing soil

and other particles that are harmful to coral

reefs and seagrass beds. This important function of the natural infrastructure will be lost if

sea levels rise too quickly.

Everglades Restoration Complications. South

Florida is partnering with the state and federal

governments to restore and protect the Florida

Everglades. The Comprehensive Everglades

Restoration Plan (CERP) is designed to restore

the historic sheet flow of water across the

Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades ecosystem, restoring natural habitats and helping to

protect the region’s water supply. Global climate change will make this historic restoration

effort more difficult and costly to complete.

Increased Risk of Wildfire. Due to a likely elevated risk of droughts, forested areas and the

portions of the Everglades in Miami-Dade

County will likely experience more wildfire

events.

The good news is that we can all do our part to

reduce our carbon emissions. Proactive planning and preparedness measures can be

taken by government, the private sector and

citizens to lessen the rate of climate change by

cutting carbon emissions. Scientists tell us that

if we cut our emissions, we can stabilize levels of carbon in the atmosphere and prevent severe climate and weather shifts from occurring.

Positive changes come with small steps!

Be a steward of your planet today and for future generations to come! Miami-Dade County and the State of Florida are doing

their parts. The County has appointed a Climate Change Advisory Task Force to plan for the future and recommend a climate

action plan to the Board of County Commissioners. Florida Governor, Charlie Crist, is committed to addressing this issue at the

State level. The Governor recently signed Executive Orders for action at the Climate Change Summit in Miami on July 13, 2007.

Please contact the South Florida Regional Planning Council with questions and comments related to this fact sheet:

[email protected] or 954-985-4416

This fact sheet and the Climate Change Community Toolbox were made possible with the generous support of the

Florida Department of Community Affairs.

Source: National Park

Service

What you and your family can do today to slow climate change

1. Use Fluorescent Light Bulbs: one fluorescent light bulb can last as long as thirteen regular light

bulbs, and use only a fraction of the energy.

2. Drive Fuel Efficient Cars: Not only will you save money on gasoline, but you will reduce the

level of carbon dioxide emissions from your car and help reduce global warming.

3. Air Dry Dishes: Instead of running the heated drying cycle on your home dishwasher, air drying

your plates, bowls, utensils, etc. on a dish rack reduces the amount of energy being consumed.

4. Turn Down Your Hot Water Heater: Reducing the temperature on your hot water to 120

degrees saves energy, and energy-related costs.

5. Wash in Cold Water: If you use the proper detergent, washing in cold water instead of hot

can get your clothes just as clean, while using less energy and reducing overall energy

demand and costs.

6. Carpool: Carpooling to work or school reduces the number of vehicles on the road, reduces

carbon dioxide emissions, and save gas. An alternative to carpooling is public transportation.

Another option is to walk or ride a bicycle if your destination is nearby.

7. Regulate Home Temperature: Setting your home thermostat comfortably low during cooler

months and comfortably high during warmer months can greatly reduce energy demand

and energy emissions.

8. Only Do Full Loads: Washing only full loads of dishes or clothes reduces the overall number of