Sea Level Rise

The mayors of St. Petersburg and Tampa met at the Palladium to discuss how their cities are dealing with climate change.

We discuss climate hurdles and solutions with CNN's chief climate correspondent, and highlight Florida stories from his book.

In the last 80 years, sea level rise has risen about a foot. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, that pace is expected to speed up.

The governor had vowed, as a former presidential candidate, to replace the words “climate change” with “energy dominance” in national security and foreign policy guidance.

Florida is on the verge of repealing what’s left of a 16-year-old law that puts climate change as a priority when making energy policy decisions. Instead, a bill waiting for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' signature would make energy affordability and availability the main focus.

Wetlands have generally kept pace with sea-level rise by building upward and creeping inland a few meters per year. But raised roadbeds, cities, farms and increasing land elevation can leave wetlands with nowhere to go.

New research published in the journal Nature showed the potential risk of a one-two combo of sinking land and rising seas to cities along the coast, and Miami topped the list as a location that could see quite a bit of flooded property by mid-century.

At the Aspen Ideas: Climate summit, experts from cities that have been battered by climate change and sea-level rise gathered to share what their experiences and offer a road map of sorts for South Florida.

Fort Lauderdale is seeking input from experts with the Urban Land Institute, a nonprofit organization made up of land-use experts who also have offered guidance to other cities vulnerable to flooding, including New Orleans, Boston, New York City, Chicago and El Paso.

Environmental researchers at Florida International University are getting a big boost in financial support to study sea-level rise along South Florida coasts — $9 million worth.

As the Sunshine State continues to grow, its population is getting older. Sea level rise is also prompting people, especially young workers, to move inland while aging communities stay on the coast.

A Florida State University study found that by 2100, median age in coastal communities could spike as much as 10 years.