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Roseate Spoonbill. Photo: Mark Cloud/Audubon Photography Awards.

Audubon Florida Climate and Energy News Roundup

This week we share news about the Southwest Florida Climate Compact, energy efficiency, a bill to fight flooding in Florida’s coastal communities, and the rising cost of insurance.

Roseate Spoonbill. Photo by Mark Cloud/Audubon Photography Awards.

Lee County Votes to Join the Southwest Florida Regional Resiliency Compact

From Audubon Florida

“Lee County is the eleventh jurisdiction, and the second county, to join the Compact; cities and counties that join commit to collaboratively identifying and addressing the effects of climate change, such as sea-level rise, intensifying hurricanes, and erosion.”

Read the entire article.

Local Efforts To Fight Climate Change Could Be Stymied By State Lawmakers

From WCJT Public Media

"If some state lawmakers have their way, local governments like Jacksonville could lose their ability to address climate change and its impacts independent of the Florida Legislature. Florida is more vulnerable to climate change than most other states and, with thousands of miles of shorelines, flooding and sea level rise pose a significant threat to Jacksonville. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northeast Florida could see more than 7 feet of sea level rise by 2060 if fossil fuel emissions are not quickly and sharply reduced.”

Read the entire article.

While Florida Lags, Local Voices Call for Higher Efficiency and Rules Reform

From Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

“States in the Southeast, including Florida, continue to underperform on energy efficiency compared to other regions and the country as a whole. For example, the Southeast had average energy saved as a percentage of annual sales of 0.26% in 2019. But utilities in the Midwest averaged 0.97% and savings in New England were 2.15% – almost ten times higher than the Southeast. Meanwhile, average savings for the whole country was 0.67%, five times higher than Florida’s 0.12%, which is among the worst in the nation.”

Read the entire article.

Bill Would Give $100 Million A Year To Fight Flooding

From WUSF Public Media

“A plan to protect homeowners and businesses from rising seas and flooding brought on by climate change sailed through a Senate committee earlier this week. It would provide $100 million a year for local governments. Republican House Speaker Chris Sprowls of Palm Harbor is promoting the bill, which he says will protect three-quarters of the state's residents living along the coasts. The Senate bill's sponsor is Republican Ray Rodrigues of Estero.”

Read the entire article.

Floridians Might Pay for Rising Sea Levels

From Florida Political Review

“Floridians may be forced to pay the price for rising sea levels surrounding the state—literally—as flood insurance premiums are expected to rise significantly in 2021. The National Flood Insurance Program, which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and provided by a network of national and regional insurance companies, will be implementing a new method of flood risk assessment beginning Oct. 1… It utilizes modern technology and industry practices to analyze individual properties’ flood risk and calculate more accurate rates for policyholders.”

Read the entire article.

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