Monday, April 09, 2007

Video: Global Warming Submerges Florida Keys

It has been said that Key West (and the Florida Keys) are on the front lines of the effects of global warming. Many are debating the causes of global warming, but few can deny that it is happening.

The National Environmental Trust, "a non-profit, non-partisan organization established in 1994 to inform citizens about environmental problems and how they affect our health and quality of life", has put together a video showing the effects in the Florida Keys & Key West of a 1 meter (3 foot) sea level rise.

The first part of the video shows what would happen to Key Largo and the Upper Keys: all would vanish.

The second part of the video focuses on Key West and shows two scenarios if our sea level rises 1 meter higher: 1) effect on Key West coastline, and 2) storm surge flooding in Key West caused by a Category 2 storm. The effects are just as devastating.

See for yourself by clicking on the play button on the youtube viewer I've installed into this post.

Like this post? Let us know:

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh my you are cheery this morning...

Valerie said...

The one meter adjustment combined with the storm surge map available in the lobby of the Key West NWS office doesn't match the video you've provided. As a post-Wilma New Town homeowner with 3 foot storm surge flooding per that NWS/City of Key West map, I am definitely not disputing the impact of a one meter sea level rise. Merely wondering what surge/sea level map data was used to generate the video simulation?

My grandmother turns 102 next month, I am hoping to be able to live here until I'm a centenarian as well. Many years between now & then to see if the majority of the human race is willing to make an effort to change, and if those behavioral changes result in a measurable impact on the planet.

Geez, what a sad topic. I like to be prepared, but that is a downer :-/

Cayo Dave said...

Hi Sally,
Don't shoot the messenger. I'm still cheery. ;-)

Hi Valerie,
Here is the methodology used, as provided by the National Environmental Trust website:

These three-dimensional animations were produced by Applied Science Associates of Narragansett, RI, a marine and freshwater environmental modeling company. Future flood elevations were determined by combining sea level rise predictions with storm surge elevations. Sea level rise estimates were made on a model from the Canadian Climate Center. Storm surge elevation estimates were based on data from the National Ocean Service and the National Weather Service's Storm Surge Group at the National Hurricane Center. The flooding was modeled by combining data from the National Elevation Dataset with tools from the Environmental Systems Research Institute. Google's GoogleEarth 3D visualization system was used to drape the flooding over elevation data and combine with 3D representations of buildings.

You can view more information about the studies at:
http://www.net.org/globalwarming/sea_level/

Valerie said...

Oh, my. Normal surge _plus_ one meter sea level rise. I apparently lost my brain for a moment or so there. Thanks for setting me straight, Dave!

Valerie said...

Sigh. Normal surge _plus_ predicted one meter sea level rise. I apparently lost my brain there for a minute or two. Thanks for clarifying, Dave!