Uploaded on 2014-11-15 by ValerieJ

In the 2013 report "Outdoor Recreation in Florida" released by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, it cited that 63% of residents and 49% of tourists engage in saltwater beach activities (including fishing). Fort Lauderdale, with 23 miles of beach, experiences an influx of approximately 12 million visitors a year spending $$9.8 billion in the local economy.While it is expected that tourists will flow in out of the city, the sand is also in a constant state of flow. Because of natural and artificial conditions; ocean currents, constructed rock jetties and extreme weather events, the beach sand is continually shifting and repositioning its deposits, mostly washed out to sea. The City of Fort Lauderdale is part of a $45.5 million dollar beach renourishment project to protect one of its most important stocks, their beaches and the beach is only valuable because it is next to the ocean. With the future warming and continued acidification of the ocean as well as sea level rise that will continue to heavily impact Fort Lauderdale, a benefit is that residents have come to realize that they have a common problem. This is driving the community to work together, to build a better, stronger more adaptive built environment and to plan for the future. Fort Lauderdale is also fortunate to have one of the strongest ocean currents in the world. There is currently a pilot program spearheaded by Florida Atlantic University that is exploring how to harness and use this energy. Florida’s coastline, especially through the Florida Straits, has been identified as one of the best places in the world to perform this research as the current runs about 2kW/m² with the Gulf Stream close behind at 1.98kW/m². **Stock: Water. Flow: Recreation, supply for sanitary, drinking needs, potential agriculture.** The average city in the U.S. receives 37 inches of rainfall a year. Fort Lauderdale receives an average of 63 inches. The city has a total area of 38.6 square miles, of which 3.8 square miles is water (9.87%). Fort Lauderdale, nicknamed the Venice of America, is known for its extensive network of canals; there are 165 miles of waterways within the city limits. With the predictions put forth from the recent 2014 Third National Climate Assessment Report that the region will experience increased extreme weather events with heavier precipitation falling over a shorter period of time, managing potable water will become critical. In an area already experiencing sea level rise, salt water intrusion will increase local conservation efforts to promote water capture, reuse, storage and better management of infrastructure and city resources. The City of Fort Lauderdale is part of a local, regional and national pilot program to identify Adaptation Action Areas which is intended to identify areas and discourage development due to increased vulnerability to flooding. Currently viewed as future greenways, drawing upon historic farming techniques as well as technological innovations, these areas could potentially serve as a platform for salt water agriculture. **Stock: Sunshine. Flow: Solar energy** Florida is known as the Sunshine State. With over 250 days of sunshine yearly, solar energy should be a primary source of energy. Yet, Florida Power and Light, the only energy provider for Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding region has listed solar energy as contributing .06% with natural gas at 70%. With the cost of fossil fuel, the technology and demand for solar power increasing, the cost of solar power will decrease making it more affordable. Florida is third in solar energy potential yet is eighteenth in installed power. According to the 2014 Third National Climate Assessment Report, the southeastern region of the U.S. will experience increased days of sunshine providing an even more reliable source of renewable energy. **Stock: SE Regional Climate Change Compact Counties, Compact. Flow: Regional Climate Action Plan** Currently serving as a national and international model of regional cooperation, the Compact is a unified effort between four counties in South Florida to address the pressing issues of climate change particularly sea level rise. Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward (Fort Lauderdale is located in Broward County) and Palm Beach Counties developed a SE Regional Action Plan. With 110 recommendations, it has been formally adopted by all four counties and in the process of being implemented. This will serve to aid other coastal communities by providing a well vetted process and product that can be massaged to respond to their particular needs. Since this course has identified that the area of expected future city growth will occur primarily in the tropics, this effort is timely and of critical importance to the global community. ![King Tide flooding in Fort Lauderdale october 2014.][1] ![Florida Atlantic University pilot prototype. ][2] ![Solar energy is .06% of the area's electrical provider Florida Power and Light. ][3] [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14160253379833039.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/141602538064137.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14160254284416816.jpg