Whether it is increasing temperatures, stronger and more frequent storms, sea level rise, coastal flooding or growing levels of asthma, all communities across the globe are dealing with the effects of climate change. However, the solutions and impacts of this global issue are not one size fits all and can look different in each area.
To connect climate science with local priorities, the Science and Environment Council created the Climate Council of Sarasota-Manatee, a facilitated network of experts and practitioners working on climate change issues in the Sarasota-Manatee Region.
The Climate Council works to advance our region’s understanding of climate change through science and education and to help translate those understandings into planning and projects.
One of the Climate Council’s projects, Local Climate Stories, highlights how rising temperatures will play out locally, affecting not only the environment but our agriculture, youth sports, coastal neighborhoods, and historic communities, too.
Here we highlight this four-part series that connects climate change science with local on-the-ground challenges and solutions.
Climate Challenges: Agriculture
The first story highlights the impacts that climate will have on local Agriculture. The video below follows Eva Worden, cofounder of Worden Farm, and Jim Strickland, the founder of Blackbeard’s Ranch, and explains how the food industry is affected by rising temperatures and more severe hurricane seasons. Sarah Bostick also explains the ways climate change can create food insecurity, and how closely connected we are to local farmers.
Climate Challenges: Sports
The sports story discusses youth sports and how climate change creates hotter summers each year, increasing the risk of dehydration and heat stroke. All outdoor sports can anticipate higher average temperatures and more frequent heat waves. It is important to stay hydrated and recognize the symptoms of a heat related illness. Watch the below video to learn more about preventing heat related illnesses.
Climate Challenges: Historic Neighborhoods
The third story focuses on historic neighborhoods, as rising temperatures are expected to intensify rainfall and storms, exacerbating flooding in these already troubled areas. Some historic, low-lying neighborhoods in our region lack sufficient infrastructure to handle all this water.
View the below video to hear from locals about their experience with sea level rise and to learn more about solutions to reduce runoff and alleviate flooding where you live and work.
Climate Challenges: Coastal Neighborhoods
The last story covers how climate change will impact coastal neighborhoods through increased high tides, storm surge, increased erosion, and repeated flooding. Learn about steps you can take to adapt to seal level rise and slow climate change in the below video.
Living Sustainably
The series also includes downloadable rack cards made with key takeaways for how our community can do their part to help slow climate change. We hope these resources will encourage residents and organizations in our area to act more sustainably and implement adaptation solutions.
Get more involved with sustainability through our online resources below. Help create a more sustainable community for generations to come by staying connected with us and joining us for an upcoming class.
Additional resources:
- Check out the Green Living Toolkit for local events and experts on energy, food, waste, water, and nature.
- View webinar recordings on our YouTube channel.
- Visit our sustainability webpage for more information about our programs at net/Sustainability.
- Read our blogs at ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco.
- Subscribe to our sustainability newsletter.
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
- For additional information about Sarasota County Sustainability, email SustainableSarasota@scgov.net.
- Visit the Science and Environment Council website.
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