# Panama City Editorial Facing reality on rising sea levels

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/12/panama-city-editorial-facing-reality-on-rising-sea-levels/
- Published: 2019-12-28T23:13:27-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

#### As the Panama City News Herald reports

![NASA. Sea level rise ](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/
2019/12/B04EC53E-C7FA-411C-A7DA-0D379E81A955-e1577591763725.jpeg?resize=300%2C197&
quality=52&ssl=1)

Source: NASA

This discussion must happen now in Florida. Because as one of the most vulnerable
states in the nation. It can’t afford to wait.

There was a time, in the not-so-distant past. All when intelligent people could 
debate the progression and consequences of global [climate change](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/climate-change-the-time-for-action-is-now/).
When they could argue that rising sea levels were just a cyclical phenomenon that
posed no threat to humans. As well as no barrier to those who wanted to develop 
in flood plains and ever-closer to the [ocean](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/07/ocean-acidification-the-other-carbon-dioxide-problem/).

#### Particularly for Floridians, those days are behind us now.

The focus has shifted. So now the questions are now a matter of degree: Which properties
are likely to be affected by sea-level rise? How much taxpayer money should governments
pour into [efforts to protect structures along Florida’s coast](https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/06/coast-guard-efforts-deepwater-during-the-oil-spill/).
And when plus how should the government discourage things. I mean further building
in the areas projected to be most vulnerable?

Many of these questions have answers that state and national officials don’t want
to hear. One recent example: A study released in June suggests that, within the 
next 20 years, Florida will face a $76 billion cost just to protect existing structures
against encroaching waters.

# Florida’s Sea Level Is Rising

And It’s Costing Over [$4 Billion](https://sealevelrise.org/states/florida/)

#### The sea level around Florida is up to 8 inches higher than it was in 1950.^(1)^( | )^(2) This increase is mostly due to ice melting into the ocean and, complicated by the porous limestone that the state sits on, it’s causing major issues. Many traditional methods to solve for sea level rise and flooding in Florida won’t work, because water can flow through the porous ground, up from below, and under sea walls. In Miami-Dade County, the groundwater levels in some places are not high enough relative to the rising sea levels, which has allowed saltwater to intrude into the drinking water and compromised sewage plants. There are already 120,000 properties at risk from frequent tidal flooding in Florida.^(3) The state is planning over $4 billion in sea level rise solutions, which include protecting sewage systems, raising roads, stormwater improvements, and seawalls.

#### Sea level rise is speeding up

#### The sea level around Virginia Key, Florida, has risen by 8 inches since 1950. Its speed of rise has accelerated over the last ten years and it’s now rising by 1 inch every 3 years.^(2) Scientists know this because sea levels are measured every 6 minutes using equipment like satellites, floating buoys off the coast, and tidal gauges to accurately measure the local sea level as it accelerates and changes.

Source: [Opinion section of Panama City News Herald](https://www.newsherald.com/search?text=Opinion)

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

 [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [  ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)