patrickbdevaney/mia9 · Datasets at Hugging Face

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or human population (although this perspective
may change as new knowledge becomes
available). The potential impacts of climate
change on the state’s infrastructure, human
health, and economy are significant.
Here is what is known and what is probable
based on current scientific knowledge:
• Over the last 650,000 years, levels of
atmospheric carbon dioxide have both
increased and decreased.
• The rate of change in atmospheric carbon
dioxide concentration has been about 100
times faster in recent decades than over the
past 650,000 years. Concentrations of
other greenhouse gases, such as methane
and nitrous oxide, have also increased significantly.
• Atmospheric carbon dioxide will continue
to increase at the rate of about 0.5 percent
per year for at least the next few decades.
• As oceanic carbon dioxide has increased,
the world’s oceans have become more
acidic, with pH declining by 0.1 standard
units (representing a 30 percent increase in
acidity) since 1750. A further decline is
under way. The reduced pH
(increased acidity) probably will have
adverse impacts on corals, clams, shrimp,
and other marine organisms with calcium
carbonate shells or skeletons.
• Most of the increase in average air temperatures since the mid20th century is due to
increases in greenhouse gases.
• Water temperatures at the sea surface rose
by an average of 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit
(0.3 degrees Celsius) between the 1950s
and 1990s in tropical and subtropical waters.
Continued increases at this rate are probable.
• Over the past 30 years, increased seasurface temperatures have led to episodic
dieoffs of sponges, seagrasses, and other
important components of coastal and marine
ecosystems. It is probable that the dieoffs
will become more frequent.
• Reefbuilding corals of Florida now are 1.8 to
2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1 to 1.5 degrees
Celcius) closer to their upper temperature limits than they were 100 years ago. In upcoming decades, as water temperature increases,
the tolerance of some coral species will probably be exceeded.
• Corals that are stressed by high water
temperature have displayed higher rates
of disease, a situation that will probably
become more widespread in upcoming
decades. Coral bleaching events will also
probably be more frequent.
• The geographic range of marine species will
shift northward as seasurface temperatures
continue to rise. The species composition
of Florida’s native marine and estuarine
communities will change, perhaps drastically.
viii
• With further rises in water and atmospheric
temperatures, conditions will probably be
more favorable for exotic plant and animal
species to invade Florida’s coastal waters.
• Harmful algal blooms probably will increase
if water temperatures continue to rise.
• Increased stormwater runoff in some parts
of the state, coupled with human population
increases, will increase the transport of
nutrients to coastal waters, contributing to
hypoxia (low oxygen).
• Sea levels around Florida have been slowly
rising, at about 1 inch or less per decade.
• Sea levels around the state probably will
continue to rise at historical to accelerated
rates in upcoming decades, and could
eventually threaten coastal development
and the ecological integrity of natural
communities in estuaries, tidal wetlands,
and tidal rivers.
• As a result of increasing sea levels, Florida
probably will become more vulnerable to
coastal flooding and storm surges.
• Shoreline retreat and erosion are occurring
now, and further rises in sea level will probably exacerbate this situation. Barrier
islands probably will continue to erode
and migrate towards the mainland.
• As sea levels rise, shallow coastal aquifers
and associated public drinking water supplies are at risk from saltwater intrusion.
The Pensacola and MiamitoPalm Beach
corridors are especially vulnerable to saltwater intrusion into public water supplies
and reduced aquifer recharge.
• Climate change is likely to have a significant
impact on coastal infrastructure such as
roads and buildings. For example, buildings
along the coast may experience catastrophic
damage in upcoming decades if sea level
continues to rise at the projected rate.
THE LONGTERM SOLUTION
Some effects of climate change, such as ocean
acidification, have already begun. Others will
begin in the coming decades, and the time will
come when Florida is simultaneously and continuously challenged by many of these effects.

or human population (although this perspective

may change as new knowledge becomes

available). The potential impacts of climate

change on the state’s infrastructure, human

health, and economy are significant.

Here is what is known and what is probable

based on current scientific knowledge:

• Over the last 650,000 years, levels of

atmospheric carbon dioxide have both

increased and decreased.

• The rate of change in atmospheric carbon

dioxide concentration has been about 100

times faster in recent decades than over the

past 650,000 years. Concentrations of

other greenhouse gases, such as methane

and nitrous oxide, have also increased significantly.

• Atmospheric carbon dioxide will continue

to increase at the rate of about 0.5 percent

per year for at least the next few decades.

• As oceanic carbon dioxide has increased,

the world’s oceans have become more

acidic, with pH declining by 0.1 standard

units (representing a 30 percent increase in

acidity) since 1750. A further decline is

under way. The reduced pH

(increased acidity) probably will have

adverse impacts on corals, clams, shrimp,

and other marine organisms with calcium

carbonate shells or skeletons.

• Most of the increase in average air temperatures since the mid20th century is due to

increases in greenhouse gases.

• Water temperatures at the sea surface rose

by an average of 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit

(0.3 degrees Celsius) between the 1950s

and 1990s in tropical and subtropical waters.

Continued increases at this rate are probable.

• Over the past 30 years, increased seasurface temperatures have led to episodic

dieoffs of sponges, seagrasses, and other

important components of coastal and marine

ecosystems. It is probable that the dieoffs

will become more frequent.

• Reefbuilding corals of Florida now are 1.8 to

2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1 to 1.5 degrees

Celcius) closer to their upper temperature limits than they were 100 years ago. In upcoming decades, as water temperature increases,

the tolerance of some coral species will probably be exceeded.

• Corals that are stressed by high water

temperature have displayed higher rates

of disease, a situation that will probably

become more widespread in upcoming

decades. Coral bleaching events will also

probably be more frequent.

• The geographic range of marine species will

shift northward as seasurface temperatures

continue to rise. The species composition

of Florida’s native marine and estuarine

communities will change, perhaps drastically.

viii

• With further rises in water and atmospheric

temperatures, conditions will probably be

more favorable for exotic plant and animal

species to invade Florida’s coastal waters.

• Harmful algal blooms probably will increase

if water temperatures continue to rise.

• Increased stormwater runoff in some parts

of the state, coupled with human population

increases, will increase the transport of

nutrients to coastal waters, contributing to

hypoxia (low oxygen).

• Sea levels around Florida have been slowly

rising, at about 1 inch or less per decade.

• Sea levels around the state probably will

continue to rise at historical to accelerated

rates in upcoming decades, and could

eventually threaten coastal development

and the ecological integrity of natural

communities in estuaries, tidal wetlands,

and tidal rivers.

• As a result of increasing sea levels, Florida

probably will become more vulnerable to

coastal flooding and storm surges.

• Shoreline retreat and erosion are occurring

now, and further rises in sea level will probably exacerbate this situation. Barrier

islands probably will continue to erode

and migrate towards the mainland.

• As sea levels rise, shallow coastal aquifers

and associated public drinking water supplies are at risk from saltwater intrusion.

The Pensacola and MiamitoPalm Beach

corridors are especially vulnerable to saltwater intrusion into public water supplies

and reduced aquifer recharge.

• Climate change is likely to have a significant

impact on coastal infrastructure such as

roads and buildings. For example, buildings

along the coast may experience catastrophic

damage in upcoming decades if sea level

continues to rise at the projected rate.

THE LONGTERM SOLUTION

Some effects of climate change, such as ocean

acidification, have already begun. Others will

begin in the coming decades, and the time will

come when Florida is simultaneously and continuously challenged by many of these effects.