Climate Change in South Florida

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Climate Change in South Florida
Climate change is a threat to every society due to its negative impact on health, nature, agriculture, biodiversity, population growth, security, resource management, and sustainable development. These impacts are evident when many people lose their lives, are affected economically, and face health problems. Studies show that human activities are the leading cause of climate change everywhere in the world. Emission of greenhouse gases through fossil fuel burning, land use change, farming activities, and deforestation are some of the primary human activities that change the composition of the earth's atmosphere, resulting in climate change.
Additionally, climate change effects like floods, high temperatures, and vector-borne diseases pose health risks. Coastal and low-lying areas are increasingly becoming vulnerable to an increase in sea levels and severe rainfall. In South Florida, climate change causes warmer temperatures and shifts in seasonal rainfall patterns (Carlton and Jacobson, 32). These changes will increase the frequency and severity of droughts and heavy rainfall. Sea levels have been rising rapidly in the recent past, causing heavy rainfall and flooding in South Florida (South Florida Water Management District, 6). Heavy rainfall can stress drainage systems’ capacity and cause flooding, while prolonged droughts can reduce water availability.
Estimates show that the region may experience seas ranging from 5-20 inches higher than current levels (Carlton and Jacobson, 34). As a result, South Florida may experience significant flooding, storm surges and erosion, and destruction of coastal habitats. A rise in sea levels can intensify saltwater intrusion of the coastal aquifers that source water for most of the region. Because of the negative impacts, the local Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) have partnered with Inter-governmental organizations (IGOs) to monitor these changes and impacts and develop effective strategies to combat climate change in South Florida.
The objective of these organizations is to reduce the risks of climate change by integrating climate change responses into sustainable development efforts, poverty reduction, and disaster risk reduction (Depledge, 52). They also aim to reduce emissions by convincing millions of consumers to go green as well as influence government and business policies. All participating local NGOs and IGOs have recognized that mitigation and adaptation are essential elements of addressing climate change-related risks (Dellmuth, 497). Considering the role of NGOs and IGOs in climate change, this essay discusses ways in which the entities combat climate change in South Florida, a region known to be highly prone to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.
How Local NGOs and IGOs Combating Climate Change in South Florida
Climate change has given more work to NGOs and IGOs to deal with its impacts. These organizations assist local communities in surviving climate change's life-threatening impacts. They employ adaptation and mitigation strategies to respond to climate change risks, reduce negative impacts, and enable communities to cope with adverse effects (Morahanye, 1). As noted, climate change is visible through weather patterns. Among many effects include rising temperatures, extreme rainfall, drought, extreme weather, rising sea levels, and floods. These effects call for immediate interventions by NGOs and IGOs to save communities.
Ways Local NGOs Combat Climate Change
NGOs are private entities that aim to relieve suffering, promote the interest of vulnerable individuals, protect the environment, and provide basic services. Their actions are generally considered humanitarian. With knowledge and expertise in diverse areas, NGOs help communities meet the challenges they face (Pandey, 799). One of the ways NGOs combat climate change in South Florida is through advocacy and activism. Haris, Mustafa, and Ariffin (222) defined advocacy as the influence of groups in determining political and social outcomes in government and society. Some advocacy strategies include lobbying, public education, and coalition building. On the other hand, activism is the involvement in action for political, environmental, and social changes using tactics such as protests, boycotts, and demonstrations.
In their review, Haris, Mustafa, and Ariffin (222) found that NGOs play a significant role as climate change advocates and activists. NGOs often perform advocacy to influence policy at state and national climate change governance. In Florida, they are instrumental in raising public awareness through workshops on climate change, with a critical view of federal climate policy. The NGO’s activism is also effective in advancing the environmental problem into a national agenda. The purpose of this strategy is to lobby politicians and businesses to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions. In other words, NGOs exert indirect pressure on governments to address climate change (Pandey, 800). They share information on the environmental problem and help set the agenda. They also share their knowledge and expertise to combat climate change. Their participation in global governance as they work with state and federal actors on specific issues provides greater legitimacy to the entire process since NGOs are civil society representatives (Pandey, 800).
An example of an NGO dedicated to climate advocacy and activism is the CLEO Institute founded in 2010 by Caroline Lewis, a science teacher and a high school principal (anthropocenealliance.org). The increased flooding, devastating hurricanes, and regular temperatures witnessed in South Florida underscores the significance of CLEO’s work. This organization is dedicated to educating and empowering local communities to demand climate action and ensure a safe, just, and healthy environment (anthropocenealliance.org). CLEO Institute works with government, community leaders, academics, and businesses to advocate for long-term, inclusive solutions to the climate change problem. Its top-down, bottom-up model is helping Florida, the most vulnerable state to become more resilient to climate impacts.
Another non-profit organization is Forces of Nature founded by Will Charouhis in 2017. The group's purpose is to stop climate change by promoting public awareness, organizing climate change-related strikes and summits in Miami, and eliciting actions from elected officials. The existence of CLEO and Forces of Nature advocacy groups indicates Florida’s dedication to combating climate change. To address climate change impacts, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), an NGO in Florida dedicated to protecting and conserving nature, has adopted an objective that South Florida’s greenhouse gas emissions will be at 90% of the net-zero target by 2045 (nature.org). This relates to the federal goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 (nature.org). The organization’s climate action in South Florida focuses on working with local governments, the private sector, and regional climate collaborative to magnify and amplify climate change actions. This partnership will ensure equitable access to reliable and clean energy for all Floridians. Other climate change actions for TNC include deploying renewable energy, installing charging stations at its preserves, and deploying renewable energy. Many NGOs have followed suit.
Another way local NGOs combat climate change in South Florida is through adaptation and mitigation programs. Mitigation refers to an attempt to derail climate change processes by minimizing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. In contrast, adaptation refers to developing methods of protecting people and property by reducing the susceptibility to climate change effect...