Florida will likely need to undertake massive engineering projects to protect itself from rising seas, and the resultant flooding, in the future.
When Hurricane Irma wove its path of destruction through the Caribbean enroute to Florida, dialogue arose again about the vulnerability of the Sunshine State to the effects of rising seas. Thankfully, Irma spared Florida a potentially crippling direct hit, but with property values between Palm Beach and Miami estimated at a trillion dollars, it’s clear that many, from developers to government organizations, will undertake the seemingly insurmountable engineering task of separating land from sea.
The Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council received a grant from the EPA to evaluate rising sea levels from an urban planning standpoint. Approximately 97% of Palm Beach County’s developed land is within 1,000 feet of the ocean, situated just 0 to 10 ft. above sea level. South Florida’s tides can add 5 ft. to normal sea levels. Therefore, if seas rise 5 ft., such flooding would become commonplace.
Indeed, a battle is looming.
The Coalition for Responsible Equitable Economic Development (CREED LA) proudly supports environmentally-responsible construction projects throughout Los Angeles that not only have a positive impact on the local community, but support LA’s working families as well.
CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA at (877) 810-7473.