VIDEO: Sea Level Rise Is Not Just Impacting Miami Beach In South Florida

By Maria Serrano

As the national debate over climate change intensifies, South Florida has become a flashpoint. And South Florida is much more than South Beach.

On Nov. 24, 2015, fifteen days after king tide day, the largest tidal range seen over the course of a year, the residential neighborhood known as the Upper East Side in Miami was still experiencing floods.

The area has an annual estimated income per household of $45,000.

Similar to Miami Beach, the Upper East Side is a middle-income community facing the consequences of sea level rise, but it has not received the attention or funding necessary to protect its residents, their houses, and small businesses.

Scientists, researchers, legislators and residents recently met at Little River Pocket Park, located in the Northeastern section of the neighborhood, to collect data, learn about sea level rise, and discuss that this is not simply an issue for Miami Beach, but a coastal issue for much of South Florida.

“It’s designed to get citizens involved in being a part of the solution,” Juliet Pinto a, Journalism Professor at Florida International University and organizer of the event for EyesOnTheRise.org said.

More events like this are being planned by EyesOnTheRise.org in the upcoming months to increase the awareness about sea level rise and the consequences for residents of South Florida.

WATCH: Sea Level Rise Impacts In Upper East Side of Miami

 

What Do You Think?

comments

Scroll to top