Climate clock is ticking in South Florida

Pine trees, coral reefs, tourism and our drinking water supply are under the gun of climate change.

The warming of the planet means Florida, with 1,200 miles of heavily populated and vulnerable coastline, is feeling real-time effects that are foreshadowing bigger consequences:

• Sea levels are rising twice as fast as once predicted, eroding shorelines.

• Higher temperatures are shifting tropical conditions farther north.

• Oceans are more acidic.

• Seas are hotter.

• Droughts may be increasing, while periods of intense rainfall are farther apart.

While the long-range effects are likely to affect our grandchildren, the near-term effects are whittling away at our environment with the power of spring tides.

As evidence mounts that the earth is warming faster than once predicted, Florida is finally starting to focus on the issue. A conference May 9-11 in Tampa will look at the latest research and make recommendations to policymakers.

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