State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Florida

  • Catastrophe Looms as Surge From Hurricane Ian Meets Fast-Growing Florida

    Catastrophe Looms as Surge From Hurricane Ian Meets Fast-Growing Florida

    This is a worst-case clash between an explosive storm and communities that grew explosively in a hurricane hiatus.

  • Investing for Tomorrow Can Prevent Tragedy Today

    Investing for Tomorrow Can Prevent Tragedy Today

    If the Surfside Florida tragedy leads to actions that prevent future catastrophes, these deaths will not have been in vain.

  • Study: NASA Sites Vulnerable to Climate Change

    Study: NASA Sites Vulnerable to Climate Change

    NASA has been at the forefront of climate science, launching satellites that take the pulse of Earth’s land, oceans and atmospheric systems. But the agency is increasingly vulnerable itself to the effects of a changing climate.

  • Reclaimed Water: Safe to Drink?

    People often cringe at the thought of water that was once wastewater being treated and used as drinking water. However, in Tampa, Florida, voters will be deciding next year on whether to use reclaimed water as part of the city’s drinking water. Reclaimed water, also known as recycled water, is highly treated wastewater that is…

  • Tampa Bay Water has Bleak Outlook

    Tampa Bay is probably most known in the water community for having one of the largest desalinization plants in the nation, and is looked upon by many as the model to see if desal is a feasible alternative for the future. So far, the plant has been full of issues, such as costing $40 million…

  • What is the future of the Everglades?

    At the beginning of April, Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced a dramatic change to the proposed plan to buy and restore a significant section of the Florida Everglades. Originially, the plan was to purchase 180,000 acres of the Everglades that is currently farmed by the United States Sugar Corporation for $1.34 billion. This was actually…

  • What Do You Pay for Water?

    In the US we spend on average $3.75 for every 1,000 gallons. However, averages are misleading –  prices range from $1.30 in Phoenix to over $7.70 in Columbus Ohio. This map below shows relative pricing for the 30 largest US municipalities. Take a look at Florida (Miami $1.60) compared to the relatively water rich east…

  • As Economy Falters, Everglades May Lose Out

    In the past months, the headlines have been dominated by news of yet another bad day for the stock market. But, there is another casualty of the recession that probably isn’t getting as much press. While stocks continue to plummet, the Everglades of South Florida may also be falling on hard times as a result…

  • Catastrophe Looms as Surge From Hurricane Ian Meets Fast-Growing Florida

    Catastrophe Looms as Surge From Hurricane Ian Meets Fast-Growing Florida

    This is a worst-case clash between an explosive storm and communities that grew explosively in a hurricane hiatus.

  • Investing for Tomorrow Can Prevent Tragedy Today

    Investing for Tomorrow Can Prevent Tragedy Today

    If the Surfside Florida tragedy leads to actions that prevent future catastrophes, these deaths will not have been in vain.

  • Study: NASA Sites Vulnerable to Climate Change

    Study: NASA Sites Vulnerable to Climate Change

    NASA has been at the forefront of climate science, launching satellites that take the pulse of Earth’s land, oceans and atmospheric systems. But the agency is increasingly vulnerable itself to the effects of a changing climate.

  • Reclaimed Water: Safe to Drink?

    People often cringe at the thought of water that was once wastewater being treated and used as drinking water. However, in Tampa, Florida, voters will be deciding next year on whether to use reclaimed water as part of the city’s drinking water. Reclaimed water, also known as recycled water, is highly treated wastewater that is…

  • Tampa Bay Water has Bleak Outlook

    Tampa Bay is probably most known in the water community for having one of the largest desalinization plants in the nation, and is looked upon by many as the model to see if desal is a feasible alternative for the future. So far, the plant has been full of issues, such as costing $40 million…

  • What is the future of the Everglades?

    At the beginning of April, Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced a dramatic change to the proposed plan to buy and restore a significant section of the Florida Everglades. Originially, the plan was to purchase 180,000 acres of the Everglades that is currently farmed by the United States Sugar Corporation for $1.34 billion. This was actually…

  • What Do You Pay for Water?

    In the US we spend on average $3.75 for every 1,000 gallons. However, averages are misleading –  prices range from $1.30 in Phoenix to over $7.70 in Columbus Ohio. This map below shows relative pricing for the 30 largest US municipalities. Take a look at Florida (Miami $1.60) compared to the relatively water rich east…

  • As Economy Falters, Everglades May Lose Out

    In the past months, the headlines have been dominated by news of yet another bad day for the stock market. But, there is another casualty of the recession that probably isn’t getting as much press. While stocks continue to plummet, the Everglades of South Florida may also be falling on hard times as a result…