What can you do?

Write a letter Federal (President and Vice President, Senators, Representatives) State (Governors and Legislators) Local (Mayor, city councils) Start in your community You don’t have to be an expert Make it fun S.L.A.P. pole

SLAP Video Created by Kids Vs. Global Warming Started in California Goals Empower youth Create awareness Alert citizens Educate the public

Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Report Climate Action Plan Municipal Adaptation to Sea-Level Rise: City of Satellite Beach, Florida City of Punta Gorda Adaptation Plan

Regional Climate Action Plan Collaborative effort of Palm Beach, Broward, Miami- Dade and Monroe counties Accomplishes: Consistent methods for assessing SLR Calls for action Presents recommendations Protects high quality of life We can’t continue doing what we have done in the past, it is time to go into new frontiers which integrate policy into action in ways that have never been tried before Also builds on what other communities have tried 110 action items

This document outlines how the City of Satellite Beach assessed it’s vulnerability to SLR. And initiates the steps needed to plan for changes on the built and natural environments. Outlines existing hazards (coastal erosion, storm surges, and sea level rise). Project team of local stakeholders who meet regularly during project. Public forums to provide information about project and SLR. Sea level rise subcommittee of the City’s Comprehensive Planning Advisory Board was created. Ongoing media campaign. Developed 3D map of city, identified critical infrastructure and assets (fire stations, schools, parks, energy), and quantification of the extent of sea level rise.

The City will lose 5% of landscape during the 1 st 2 feet of SLR, the subsequent 2 feet will cause an additional 20% of submergence. The city has 40 years to create and use an adaptive management plan.

Cities can respond to SLR by protection, retreat, or accommodation. Satellite beach is on a barrier island made of porous sand that will allow penetration of seawater beneath the ground making seawalls ineffective Retreat is not possible in this city because only 2% of their city is undeveloped Accommodation through adaptive management Develop a timeline describing future actions Implement no-regret or low-regret policies Tipping points built into plan As uncertainty diminishes, more robust plans and measures can be implemented

Explains, in great detail, the vulnerability and adaptations of 8 major areas of climate change Fish and Wildlife Habitat Degradation Inadequate Water Supply Flooding Unchecked or Unmanaged Growth Water Quality Degradation Education and Economy and Lack of Funds Fire Availability of Insurance 246 climate change adaptations identified

Four basic strategies to reduce vulnerability and benefit from impact. Avoidance: Stop building infrastructure in a location that will be impacted Mitigation: Reduce climate stresses (reduce greenhouse gas emissions, invest in renewable energy) Minimize: Reduce human disturbances and destruction of ecosystems, conserve water, and reduce farm runoff Adaptation: Learning-oriented approach with monitoring, review, and adjustment Punta Gorda’s progressive plan will allow the city to be more resilient to effects of climate change.

Banning Reality

1) Some communities are addressing the threats of climate change through proactive policies 2) Other communities are ignoring these threats 3) You can make a difference by letting your legislators know that you care about climate change and by doing what you can to lesson your carbon footprint