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A More Local Perspective By Andrea De Leon Miami Dade county now anticipates around 2 feet of sea level rise by the year 2060, enough to cause an estimated $25 billion in damages. Across the rest of Florida, esti-mates range between a rise of 1 to 11 feet. A general increase in the water temperature is also killing off algae, resulting in coral bleaching. Around 130 species in the area are already under threat of extinction, and around half of those are also further threatened by the rising sea levels, according to Jaclyn Lopez, Florida Director at the Center of Biological Diversity. The ecosystem aside, life for humans in the state is also becoming more strained with an increase in hurricanes as well as their magnitude. Since 1895, Florida has warmed about .2 degrees per decade, with the rate of warming increasing. What is Florida Doing to Keep Up with These Global Initiatives? Climate scientists say Florida has 3 options: Defend, Adapt, or Abandon. Florida is cur-rently in the “defend” stage, shifting hopefully toward “adapt”. Most of the efforts currently taking place focus on the sea level rise in South Florida. Parts of Miami have suffered what is referred to as “sunny day flooding,” caused not by rainfall, but sea water coming over sea walls and pushing up from storm drains, due to high tides. Miami has installed high powered pumps and even raised some streets up to two and a half feet to mitigate the effects of this flooding. An unintended consequence of this has been further inequality, as property value increases also result in higher taxes for residents who often can’t afford it. Governor DeSantis has also pledged $1 billion toward Florida’s resiliency, making sure to note that none of it would be going toward “left wing stuff.” Beyond measures regarding sea level rise, most of that money is currently going toward research and developing action plans. There is currently no initiative regarding energy conservation and efficiency. With midterm elections approaching, DeSantis has a number of Democrat candidates competing for the opportunity to unseat him. Charlie Christ’s campaign website lists his Million Solar Roofs Plan—his goal for Florida to reach one million solar roofs with a number of legislative incentives and improved infrastructure standards. Nikki Fried is another candidate who touts accomplishments in the realm of climate change advocacy. This includes distributing millions in energy efficiency grants to local governments, and rebuilding the Department of Agriculture’s Office of Agricultural Water Policy to emphasize best practices. Frank Hughes Jr., an independent candidate, only lists the following on his website in regards to climate action: “The environment is our lifeline. For our coast, waterways, and fertile soil are essential to fuel our economy. WE must take steps now to ensure there is a future.” Neither of the current Republican candidates, Ron DeSantis and John Joseph Mercadante, list climate action anywhere on their campaign websites. With inflation and gas prices eating away at Americans’ savings, the national debate on abortion, and the recent surge in gun violence taking center stage, it appears Floridians are understandably having a hard time prioritizing climate action on a legislative level. Whether the current plan to “defend and adapt” can outlast the steady march toward shifting to “abandon” is yet to be seen.