Broward County joins a handful of counties in the Country that have created a comprehensive plan to address the damaging effects of climate change. Today, Broward County Commissioners approved the Broward County Climate Change Action Plan that provides recommendations for adapting to rising sea level changes, protecting water supplies from salt water intrusion and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Altogether, 126 recommendations are detailed in the plan. Sixty-five of those recommendations are initiatives that are already in place in Broward County. The complete report is available at www.broward.org/climatechange.
“The influence of climate change is already being realized, requiring aggressive mitigation in order to reduce the magnitude of these impacts and ready adaptation to respond to the changes that are occurring now,” said Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs, who chaired the Task Force. “We did not concern ourselves with why climate change is occurring or who is to blame. Instead we focused on finding solutions to the rising sea level, the threat of a contaminated water supply, the impact of climate change on building codes, insurance and a variety of scenarios that we will face going forward.”
The report forecasts dramatic changes in sea level anywhere from 24 to 48 inches in Broward County by the end of the century. Hurricanes are expected to be less frequent, but stronger with more rainfall than what we’ve experienced in recent history. Planning experts calculate that a one foot rise in sea level would currently impact 1934 homeowners, 182 businesses, with a total property value worth $469 million.
Recommendations in the plan include:
· Create an Office of Sustainability (Sustainability/Climate Program.) Establish a Sustainability/Climate Program to oversee the implementation of County energy and climate change policies, initiatives, and sustainability programs.
· Support a Regional Collaborative Climate Action Plan consistent with the ratified Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact recently signed an agreed upon by Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach Counties.
· Update the County Comprehensive Master Plan to address and adapt to climate change impact in the future including limiting density of development in low-lying areas, promotion of transit oriented corridors, incorporating climate change factors when approving land use changes.
· Incorporate Climate Change Adaptation into Public Infrastructure Planning. Ensure that adaptation to climate change impacts are incorporated into the planning, siting, construction, replacement and maintenance of public infrastructure.
· Protect Water Resources. The action plan includes a series of recommendations to ensure that the existing water resources and water infrastructure are protected including the development and implementation of alternative water supply strategies and programs to meet future demands and mitigate future water shortages.
· Provide Outreach and Education. Provide broad community outreach and education about climate change actions to include mitigation and adaptation strategies and the expected cost of inaction; and embrace allies in promoting green public education.
“Additional actions will be required if we are to demonstrate real effectiveness and climate preparedness over the next several decades. These actions will serve to ensure the economic vitality of the County, the livability of our community, and the preservation resources of our environmental resources that are so vital to our economy and general quality of life,” Commissioner Jacobs said.
The Climate Change Task Force Plan is the work of the Broward County Climate Change Task Force, which was approved by Commissioners in June of 2008. The 25-member task force was made up of scientists, environmental experts, community members, business owners, and county staff. Their stated mission was to develop a countywide Climate Change program to mitigate the causes and adapt to the consequences of climate change and, if appropriate, advise on its implementation.
For more information please visit www.broward.org/climatechange.
No comments:
Post a Comment