Bob Graham Center for Public Service

Given their coastal location, prominent industries and urbanization, Southeast Florida’s counties have faced the most obvious impacts of climate change such as sunny-day flooding and worsening sewage spills, and have worked the longest and spent the most to prepare. Key issues include threats to the built and natural environment including freshwaters, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities. Climate change trends across the region include sea rise, pollution and rising temperatures; Miami has endured record heat in the mid-90s this spring. With so many unique ecosystems from the Everglades to Keys coral reefs to the Indian River Lagoon, environmental instability is a considerable threat.

Residents’ quality of life is a major issue since climate change impacts key industries, can lead to health problems and disproportionately impacts disadvantaged communities. Prominent industries in the region include tourism, real estate and agriculture, all impacted by climate change. High temperatures shorten crop seasons and sea rise and pollution harm marine environments such as coral reef and beaches. Regionally, residents are vulnerable to heat and other weather extremes. Heat-related emergency department visits are on the rise, a significant concern considering the high elderly populations in many southeast counties. Climate change’s disproportionate impact on disadvantaged residents is another concern. Outdoor workers in agriculture and construction are exposed to increasingly high temperatures. Low-income residents face higher electricity bills and may not have air conditioning. In Miami-Dade County, minority communities are being displaced through climate gentrification, as their homes in higher elevations have become desirable due to flooding at the waterfront.

Infrastructure challenges are significant throughout the region, including the need to raise roads in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties—and the problem of how to decide which to raise first, as Scholar Taylor Paynter pointed out in the Keys report. The most positive trends in the region involve the counties’ cooperation and long-time work on climate resilience. Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach counties united to form the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact a decade ago. Most counties have climate resilience officers, climate action plans and vulnerability assessments.

* For time series data, see the Data Explorer page

* For time series data, see the Data Explorer page