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Audubon Florida Climate and Energy News Roundup Today we share news about a Florida town’s work to adapt to sea-level rise, the federal government’s investment in carbon capture and storage, a dire warning about the U.S. energy grid, and more.

Power lines. Photo: Pixabay

Cedar Key Shows Old Florida Can Learn New Tricks About Adaptation and Resilience From The Invading Sea “Cedar Key City Commissioner Sue Colson put it bluntly when speaking to the Gainesville Sun in 2017: ‘We’ve been given a stage 4 diagnosis,’ Colson said, speaking about sea-level rise and the future of this small town on Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coast. Indeed, the city of Cedar Key has particularly high exposure to climate hazards. In 2020, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s tide gauge in Cedar Key recorded the fourth-highest rate of sea-level rise acceleration in the nation and local sea level has risen nearly six inches since 1992. What’s more, recent reports indicate sea levels are rising even faster than projected in some areas of Florida’s Gulf Coast, including Cedar Key. So, what can Cedar Key do with this ‘stage 4 diagnosis’? According to Colson, adaptation and acceptance are key.“ Read the entire article.

Florida Bans Direct-to-Consumer Auto Sales —Except for EVs From MSN “A new Florida law changes how cars can be sold in the Sunshine State, hampering the nation's largest automakers while boosting electric vehicle makers. Gov. Ron DeSantis this week approved HB 637, which bars legacy automakers from offering a direct-to-consumer or online sales option if the company already sells vehicles in the state through dealership. That means companies with existing car lots — like Ford and General Motors — are included in the ban.” Read the entire article.

Biden Administration Invests in Carbon Capture, Upping Pressure on Industry to Show Results From the Associated Press “The Biden administration on Wednesday announced $251 million for carbon capture and storage projects in seven states, aiming to reduce planet-warming pollution from power plants and other industrial facilities. The announcement represents a vote of confidence by the government in the nascent technology, which proponents, often from oil and gas industries, say could have a huge role in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. Meanwhile, many environmentalists note that the technology is far from scale and argue that focusing on it distracts from established renewable energy solutions.” Read the entire article.

The U.S. Power Grid Isn't Ready for Climate Change From Axios “Human-caused climate change is poised to heavily strain the U.S. power grid in the coming decades, and vast improvements are needed to enhance its reliability and ability to meet increasing electricity demands, experts say. Why it matters: The effects of new weather extremes on the grid may be seen throughout the summer if intense heat waves trigger energy demand spikes that test the limits of power infrastructures nationwide, officials have warned.” Read the entire article.

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