& THE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

CHELSEA LANDSBERG

The Northwest Region of Florida

The Northwest Region of Florida

Borders the Gulf of Mexico As the Ocean rises due to global warming, the

Northwest Region of Florida will be losing land. This greatly effects wildlife, vegetation and human activity.

Northwest’s Projected Sea Level Rise

Hurricanes and the Northwest

Hurricane damage over the years has helped to expedite the decrease in coastal lands on this island.

Threat of Physical Costal Erosion and Sea Level Rise in the Northwest Region (due to Climate Change)

Significant shoreline changes and flooding of the current vegetation zones under all IPCC (1996) sea-level rise predictions

Large portion of coastal pinelands will be lost by a projected sea-level increase of .95 meters high over the next century

There will be a costal transgression and reduction of terrestrial habitat within the area, including wild-life refuges located throughout the northwest region.

Socioeconomic Effects – Is it all bad?

Local economy is largely dependent on the shellfish industry, an increase in coastline could ENHANCE the local fisheries

Population predictions for FL counties are far above national averages. Wakulla, Jefferson, and Taylor Counties are expecting population increases ranging from 31% - 57% within a 25 year span.

Coping Strategies

Beings there is a minimal loss in terms of economic factors, this study doubts there will be minimal effort to remediate the coastal transgression. With a shallow limestone base and underground

channels to coastal waters, the costs and benefits would not warrant engineering alternatives to combat the sea level rise.

Overall, costal revetment would do more harm than good. It would reduce estuary size and functions, effecting

productivity and actually spurring a negative effect on the economy.

Florida State University

Is Currently Completing a study in the Northwest Region of Florida focusing on the anticipated seal-level rise and effects associated with Climate Change of the next 100 years. Hypothesizing that “The historic storm record,

which extends back only about 150 years, isn’t a reliable indicator of true storm frequency, but the long-term geologic record is.”

Key Points of Study

Funded by a $1.03 million grant from the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) Scientific research program headed by the US

Department of Defense partnered with the Department of Energy and US Environmental Protection Agency

By 2012, this study is expected to produce models and methodologies that will help coastal planners and managers in all low-lying coastal regions better understand, address and mitigate the near-future effects of sea-level rise.

Reason for Using Northwest Region of Florida

The Eglin Air Force Base is located in region The coast has many natural featuresClose proximity to Florida State University

(Panama City)Long lived coastal lakes that will provide

sediments containing a long record of the coastal environment for about the last 4,000 to 6,000 years

Goals of Study

To employ a variety of possible sea level scenarios that would allow for more detailed climate models which would be used to predict the changing future for the coastal region.

Panama City, Florida

- Panama City is a port of entry on the St. Andrew Bay, off of the Gulf of Mexico

- Landlocked with a deepwater harbor which is linked to the gulf via channel

- Located at about 95 miles east of Pensacola, Florida

- Population of about 37,188 (2000 figure)

Consequences of Coastal Flooding and Global Warming in Panama City

Costal citizens will be forced to relocated Manufacturing businesses in the area could

be jeopardized The diverse marine life could be wiped out

In artificial coral reefs, there is more than 1000 different marine species Coral bleaching Reduction in calcification rates from absorbed CO2

In Conclusion

Florida’s northwest coast is becoming smaller by the year, but without an economic reason to come up with prevention measures, attempts are few and far between.

Florida State University’s study will allow for more accurate predictions and computer imaging regarding the future of climate change and the coast line.

Sources

http://www.nrdc.org/air/pollution/bt/6015.asphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_City,_

Floridahttp://www.panhandleparade.com/index.php/

mbb/article/going_green_on_news_13_panama_city_biodiesel/mbb7713848/