Florida's Climate Change Community Toolbox

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Summary

The South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC) created a Climate Change Community Toolbox to help local officials plan for and adapt to climate change. The Toolbox includes fact sheets on likely climate impacts on Miami-Dade’s economy, environment, and community; inundation maps with different sea level rise scenarios; and links to national and international sources on adaptation planning.

Background

The Climate Change Community Toolbox was commissioned by the Miami-Dade Climate Change Advisory Task Force and was created to assist decision makers in the adaptation planning process. The Toolbox directs decision makers to different resources to help inform adaptation planning and provides examples from local, national, and international sources. It includes three elements: fact sheets on the projected impacts of climate change on the local economy, community, and environment; an atlas of sea level rise maps; and a compendium of resources from national and international adaptation players.

Implementation

The Toolbox was created with the support of the Florida Department of Community Affairs. The fact sheets address projected climate impacts to and likely effects on Miami-Dade’s economy, environment, and community, including sea level rise, erosion, loss of habitat, damage to infrastructure, saltwater intrusion of groundwater wells, and loss of tourism. LIDAR maps show areas in Miami-Dade likely to be inundated under 1, 2, 3, and 5-foot rises in sea level; these maps identify vulnerable areas and help the Task Force visualize and understand potential impacts especially with regard to infrastructure and land use planning. Finally, the compendium of resources from the national and international arena include examples from Scotland, London, New York, and Holland, among others.

Outcomes and Conclusions

The Climate Change Community Toolbox provides examples of how to conduct adaptation planning and how to examine different sectors and issues areas within the context of climate change. Although the Toolbox was created specifically for the Miami-Dade Climate Change Advisory Task Force, the information within can be used by other local communities throughout Florida to support adaptation planning efforts.

Citation

Gregg, R. M. (2010). Florida's Climate Change Community Toolbox [Case study on a project of the South Florida Regional Planning Council]. Product of EcoAdapt's State of Adaptation Program. Retrieved from CAKE: http://www.cakex.org/case-studies/florida’s-climate-change-community-t... (Last updated March 2010)

Project Contacts

South Florida Regional Planning Council

The South Florida Regional Planning Council's mission is to identify the long-term challenges and opportunities facing Southeast Florida and assist the Region's leaders in developing and implementing creative strategies that result in more prosperous and equitable communities, a healthier and cleaner environment, and a more vibrant economy. The Council is a planning and public policy agency. Activities respond to statutory requirements as well as the needs of member units of local government.

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Florida Department of Economic Opportunity

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity offers technical assistance to support communities who wish to incorporate adaptation into consideration for community planning and development. The Division of Community Development manages the state's land planning and community development responsibilities ensuring that new growth fosters economic development while protecting resources of state significance.

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