Explore the Florida Climate

Mary Campbell, Extension Director
and Urban Sustainability Agent    

Is there such a thing as too much information? In the area of climate change, many would say “yes”. There is an abundance of information on climate variability from many sources. It can be confusing to know what information is reliable and from a trusted source. There are several reliable resources that Extension recommends if you want to understand more about the science of climate change.

The Florida Climate Institute (FCI), is a network of national and international research and public organizations, scientists, and individuals concerned with achieving a better understanding of climate variability and change. The FCI, founded in 2010 by the University of Florida and Florida State University, has over 200 members. FCI provides many resources including an “Environmental Minute” radio show available online that provides information on sea level rise, sustainability, and climate patterns.

Climate variability and change pose significant economic, food security, and environmental risks worldwide. Drought, storms with heavy rain, high winds, flooding, and freeze events cause millions of dollars in losses to agriculture and natural resources in Florida and globally. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that by the year 2100 global average temperature is likely to increase by 2 to 11.5°F, global mean sea level will rise from 7 to 23 inches, and increases in precipitation intensity and variability will increase the risk of both flooding and drought.

For up to date climate change information choose a reliable resource, such as the Florida Climate Institute ( http://floridaclimateinstitute.org/ ), EPA (http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/), NASA (http://climate.nasa.gov/) or NOAA (http://www.noaa.gov/climate.html). Critical information is now available to better inform citizens of potential impacts due to climate variability and change.

NASA Video illustrates warming.

Florida State Climatologist http://climatecenter.fsu.edu/ Offers Florida Climate Summary, Seasonal Climate Outlooks, Information on topics of concern (agriculture, climate change, climate variability, and drought.)

Agroclimate http://www.agroclimate.org/- a climate-based decision support system for agriculture.

Southeast Climate Consortium http://www.seclimate.org/

NASA videos. http://nas-sites.org/americasclimatechoices/summaries-and-videos-from-the-acc-series/climate-change-lines-of-evidence-videos/

Salty Topics: Sea level rise in the southeastern US: What have we seen and what do we expect?

Join us for the kick-off of our all new Marine Science Speaker series at Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center. The series will be held on the 1st Thursday of October, November, and December 2011.

Professor Mitchum has been a faculty member in the College of Marine Science at the University of South Florida since. His interest in sea level rise began in the mid-1980's, and he remains especially interested in the study of 20th century sea level rise. Professor Mitchum's research focuses on the use of satellite and in situ data to study sea level variations and climate change.

For more information please contact Libby Carnahan at (727) 453-6522

Citizen Scientist Workshop

Mary Campbell, Extension Director and Urban Sustainability Agent

Join instructors George Kish, US Geological Survey & Mary Campbell, UF Extension for a free training to engage volunteers in the collection of local ecological information; and introduction to Nature’s Notebook, a project of the USA National Phenology Network. Phenology is the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and inter-annual variations in climate.

Come out and join Members, Volunteers and Participants of Native Plant Society, Audubon Society, NABA, Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, Florida Botanical Gardens, Sustainable Floridians, “Friends” of Local and State Parks, Refuges and Other Environmental Groups, as they assist resource managers, scientists & public in decision-making related to conservation.

Click here to register online for this free class.

Climate Change News

By: Mary Campbell, Extension Director and Urban Sustainability Agent

With the recent dramatic weather occurrences in the Midwest and now Florida fires due to severe drought conditions, there is more focus on climate change and the potential impacts. More than just sea level rise and the arctic ice are impacted due to the current climate changes we are experiencing globally. In a recent article released by the National Academy of Sciences, it discusses the nation's options for responding to the risks from climate change in a report requested by Congress. The committee that authored the report included not only renowned scientists and engineers but also economists, business leaders, an ex-governor, a former congressman, and other policy experts.

The new report reaffirms that the majority of scientific evidence points to human activities -- especially the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere -- as the most likely cause for most of the climate change that has occurred over the last several decades. This trend cannot be explained by natural factors such as internal climate variability or changes in incoming energy from the sun. The report adds that the impacts of climate change on human and natural systems can be expected to intensify with the warming trend.

“America's response to climate change is ultimately about making choices in the face of risk," noted committee vice chair William L. Chameides, Dean of the Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, N.C. "Risk management strategies must be durable enough to promote sustained progress yet sufficiently flexible to take advantage of new knowledge and technologies."

The committee cited many reasons for not waiting, including that the faster emissions are reduced, the lower the risks. Waiting for impacts to occur before taking action will likely be too late for meaningful mitigation. Beginning emissions reductions soon will also lower the pressure to make steeper and costlier cuts later.

Resources:

National Academies

Florida Energy Systems Consortium

Florida Climate Institute

Climate Change: A Citizen’s Guide to Thoughtful Action

If the Climate is Warming – Why is it So Cold?

Mary Campbell, Extension Director and Urban Sustainability Agent

A question that is often asked – “Why do we have record setting cold weather in the middle of global warming? “ The term “global warming” is often confusing and that is why the term “climate change” is beginning to be used more frequently. The term global warming refers to the specific increase in global temperatures caused by the increase in greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. Globally, surface air temperatures increased by approximately 1oF during the 20th century. Some regions of the world have experienced much greater warming; Alaska and the Antarctic Peninsula, for example, have warmed by approximately 4oF over the same time period. Other regions of the world, such as the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere and the interior of Antarctica, have not experienced warming. Very small changes in temperature can have big impacts on sensitive ecosystems.

Climate Change refers to changes in the climate over decades – not just seasonal changes or local weather patterns. So the local conditions at any particular time are really weather patterns and should not be confused with climate change or global warming. There may be a wetter spring or a warmer or cooler winter one year, but climate change refers to sustained changes taking place over very long periods. Some of the sustained changes to the environment that scientists are seeing are: greater frequency of droughts and flood; melting of polar ice caps and sea level rise due to warmer ocean temperatures; changes in plants and wildlife migration patterns; and pest and disease spread.

The frequency of more severe weather patterns supports what scientists predicted as one of the impacts of climate change. Due to warmer air temperatures holding larger amounts of water vapor – it can create droughts in some areas and then floods in other areas – or more snow and sleet. Some of the records for severe weather – hottest days on record, major floods, sustained droughts - have been observed in the past decade. The observed warming over the 20th century was accompanied by a 10% increase in precipitation in the Northern Hemisphere and an increase in global sea-level of 4-8 inches.

So the next time the weatherman reports unusually cold weather – we may want to think about that. On the short term it is simply local weather conditions, but added to the long-term data that scientists study to understand overall climate, it will be another piece in the puzzle.

Please join me for a Webinar on the Basics of Climate Change to hear about why scientists are concerned and some of the common myths

References:

Extreme Events - US Environmental Protection Agency
Science FAQs - Pew Center on Global Climate Change

Green Jobs for Florida

Vestina Crayton Pinellas County Extension Specialist, Urban Sustainability

With the adoption of clean energy legislation and policies, Florida will not only reap the benefits of less pollution, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency but also the creation of up to 78,000 jobs over the next ten years.

To discuss some of these policies and legislation, the Green Jobs for Florida delegation will be participating in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen Denmark December 7th-18th. International leaders will be discussing the limiting of greenhouse gas emissions. These discussions are critical to creating jobs and boosting our economy. Participating in the conference are representatives from Raymond James, St. Petersburg and Hogan Law Group, Tampa who are among the 25 members of the Green Jobs for Florida delegation.

With the introduction of green jobs in the coming years, this is the perfect opportunity to educate yourself on the green economy. To help you get started, sign up for Pinellas County Extension’s Solutions in 30 Webinar Green Jobs on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 12:15pm- 12:45pm. This presentation will describe what a green job is, what training is required, and where to apply.

For more information on this news item click here

Florida Climate Change Action Plans

Mary Campbell, Extension Director and Urban Sustainability Agent

Many communities in Florida have already taken the positive step of developing actions plans to curb greenhouse gas emissions. As we know, these greenhouse gases that come from the burning of fossil fuels for transportation and energy are impacting our environment by changing our atmosphere, which is in turn changing our climate. Scientists now agree with a 90% certainty that these human processes are a contributor to the environmental changes we are now experiencing (warmer atmospheric and ocean temperatures, changes in rainfall, sea level rise, movement of pests and diseases).

Climate Change Action plans usually consist of the following:

1. Calculating the emissions of greenhouse gases (baseline) for a business or operation.
2. Setting a target for reduction of gases.
3. Developing a plan for how that target will be reached.
4. Tracking and monitoring the success of the program.

Here are a few of the action plans that will help Florida reduce greenhouse gas emissions:

State of Florida Energy and Climate Change Action Plan

Florida COOL CITIES Programs

Orange County Climate Change Plan

City of Miami Climate Action Plan

Join us for an online Climate Change Webinar Tuesday, November 17

The Basics of Climate Change

We can all do our part through energy conservation, recycling and other green practices:

Take the Pledge!

UF Extension Service Launches New Statewide Energy-Conservation Campaign

GAINESVILLE, FLA. --- As more consumers struggle with record-breaking energy costs and rapid urban growth puts a strain on Florida’s natural resources, the University of Florida’s Extension service's new public awareness campaign promotes the effective use of energy and discourages all forms of energy waste.

Initiated by UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), the statewide campaign--aimed at the state’s current and future residents--kicked off April 22, 2008, during the annual Earth Day event.

"Everyone is concerned about soaring energy costs and water conservation, but the problem is more challenging here in Florida because our population continues to increase by more than eight hundred residents every day," said Pierce Jones, director of UF’s Program for Resource Efficient Communities. "That kind of growth--along with the needs of our existing population for energy and water--is taking a tremendous toll on the state’s natural resources."
The UF Extension service is developing a catalogue of fact sheets on energy efficiency, water conservation, and environmental protection for homeowners. The first set of documents in the "Energy Efficient Homes" series--Air Conditioning, Ceiling Fans, and The Duct System--were released on April 22, 2008.

Additional publications on topics such as lighting, insulation, water heaters, irrigation, climate change, and reducing the "carbon footprint" will be released by UF Extension over the next two months. For more information about energy efficiency, conservation, and sustainability, see the Sustainable Living section of SolutionsForYourLife.com.

Jones--who is working with the Florida Energy Office to develop the information campaign--said many residents come from states with different climates and ecosystems, and they may not be aware of Florida’s fragile environment. "Much of the damage to the state’s natural resources is due to a simple lack of awareness about our ecosystems and how homes interact with the environment," he said. "There are many ways that people can save energy and water in their homes and landscapes, which will help not only the state’s natural resources, but their own economic situations as well."

Jones said UF’s Program for Resource Efficiency Communities was established in 2004 to promote adoption of the best design, construction and management practices that measurably reduce energy and water consumption as well as environmental degradation in new residential developments.
After years as the nation’s fourth-largest state, Florida is poised to become the nation’s third largest state--after California and Texas--sometime in the next few years, underscoring the urgent need for energy and water conservation now, he said.

Adapted from:
UF Extension Service launches new statewide energy-conservation campaign, UF/IFAS News (4/2008).

Written by:
Chuck Woods, (352) 392-0400, cwoods@ufl.edu

Source:
Pierce Jones, (352) 392-8074, piercejones@ufl.edu

Vote Earth! Your Light Switch is Your Vote

On March 28th at 8:30pm local time the Eiffel Tower, Golden Gate Bridge and Sydney's Opera House---just to name a few iconic landmarks---will be turning off their lights for “Earth Hour” to shine a spotlight on climate change. So far 2,140 cities, towns and municipalities in 82 countries have already committed to VOTE EARTH as part of the world's first global election between Earth and global warming. To add your destination to the list of communities responding to this challenge, visit http://www.earthhour.org/.

Learn How a Tree Planted in Largo Might Help Reduce Super Bowl Impact on Local Environment

Climate Change Expert Talks about Super Bowl and Other Programs Designed to Lessen Impact on Local Community through Carbon Exchange

What do Super Bowl XLIII in Hillsborough County and trees recently planted in Pinellas County have in common? The two share a lot, when the subject is greenhouse gas reduction. The National Football League (NFL) is sponsoring the planting of trees in places like Egmont Key, Plant City, Safety Harbor and Largo to offset increased greenhouse gas created by Super Bowl-related activities. The NFL calls it the Urban and Community Forestry Initiative. Experts on climate change such as Mark van Soestbergen call it calculating carbon footprints.

Van Soestbergen, founder of the International Carbon Bank & Exchange, will give three free presentations about how national sports teams, universities and conference sponsors are partnering with governments and businesses to offer carbon neutral events. You can learn how these groups and individuals are using carbon offsets and trading to positively impact climate change. You can also get a better understanding of common discussion terms like carbon offsets and carbon trading.

The Carbon Neutral: Teaming Up to Make a Difference for Our Climate programs are planned at the following locations and times:

Friday, Jan. 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, located at 1800 Weedon Drive N.E. in St. Petersburg. To learn more and to register, call (727) 453-6500.

Saturday, Jan. 31, from 11 a.m. to noon at Pinellas County Extension located at 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo. No registration is required. For more information, call (727) 582-2456.

Saturday, Jan. 31, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Brooker Creek Preserve Education Center located at 3940 Keystone Road in Tarpon Springs. To learn more and to register, call (727) 453-6800.

Part of the program focuses on what citizens can do to help reduce their own carbon footprint on the world. “The individual is truly the secret agent in this whole process,” said van Soestbergen. At the programs, tips will be shared about day-to-day actions everyone can take concerning travel, heating/cooling usage, electricity consumption, domestic waste and recycling. “Without taking personal ownership, nothing happens,” he added.

Get expert information about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle at these information-packed programs just in time for Super Bowl kick off Sunday, Feb. 1.

Hurricanes and Climate Change

Mary Campbell, Pinellas County Extension Director, Urban Sustainability Agent

Hurricanes are on everyone’s minds in Florida right now. Since 1995, Florida has experienced some of the most active and intense hurricanes. There are reports that indicate climate change or global warming may play a role in the number and strength of hurricanes. Meteorologists use the term "tropical cyclone" for a closed atmospheric circulation that forms over a tropical or subtropical ocean. Once maximum sustained wind speed exceeds 74 miles per hour these storms are called hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, typhoons in the Pacific Ocean, and cyclones elsewhere. Let’s review what we know to date about the link between storms and climate change.

Sea level is rising and will continue to rise as oceans warm and glaciers melt. Rising sea level means higher storm surges, even from relatively minor storms, which increases coastal flooding and subsequent storm damage.

With rapid population growth in coastal regions placing many more people and structures in the path of these tropical cyclones, there is a much greater risk of casualties, property damage, and financial hardship when these storms make landfall.

Two factors that contribute to more intense tropical cyclones -- ocean heat content and water vapor -- have both increased over the past several decades. Human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and the clearing of forests have very likely elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere which contributes to global warming and these two factors.

The link between stronger hurricanes and global warming is a theory and is not a conclusion of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It is reasonable to theorize that some human contribution is responsible for the increase in strong hurricanes in the Atlantic since 1970, since this increase does correlate so well with the observed increase in sea surface temperatures. However, it is difficult to make a strong statement saying that global warming is responsible for stronger hurricanes, due to the high natural variability of these storms and the poor observational record.

There are no definite conclusions on the link between storms and climate change. Climate change is an evolving theory that will be the focus of scientists for many years to come. Preparation for storms is an important process for everyone living in Florida.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change http://www.ipcc.ch/
Hurricane Season: Be Prepared http://pinellas.ifas.ufl.edu/hurricanes.shtml

Climate Change Basics

by Mary Campbell, Pinellas County Extension Director, Urban Sustainability

Climate change and global warming are both used as terms to describe the effects of greenhouse gas emissions on our environment. They are both used to describe the environmental changes due to the build up of gasses that trap heat and warm the Earth. These gases are primarily from the burning of fossil fuels that give off carbon dioxide and other gases. Climate change has been described as both a natural and unnatural process. There is the natural variation in the Earth’s global or regional climates over time. Natural global climate change over time has occurred in response to fluctuations in the amount of solar energy reaching the Earth, changing ocean currents, formation or loss of ice sheets and many other causes.

Global warming refers to an increase in the average global temperature of the entire Earth’s atmosphere. Regional and seasonal variations can occur within that average and so we may experience cooling in local areas. Scientists now think that it is very likely (90% probability) that humans are contributing to global warming. Some of the impacts of global warming include sea level rise, droughts, floods and more severe weather events. As the science on climate change gets more accurate, we will be able to better predict the impacts and use technology to reduce those impacts.

“Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in the global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea level.” Fourth Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change http://www.ipcc.ch/