View Event Home Page

Florida Ocean Alliance Position on
Climate Change and Global Ocean Change

The Florida Ocean Alliance supports the following position on climate change and global ocean change:

The concentration of carbon dioxide is increasing in the Earth’s atmosphere. Florida’s economy and the safety, security, and quality of life of its citizens and visitors will be affected as the Earth responds. Florida is particularly vulnerable due to its low land elevation and economic dependence on its oceans and coasts. Scientific studies suggest that sea level rise, increased air and water temperatures, intensified coastal storms and flooding, and impacts on the marine environment are occurring. Florida faces significant challenges, as well as potential economic opportunities, in planning for and responding to climate change.

The Florida Ocean Alliance urges that action be taken today on climate change to ensure the welfare of Florida’s citizens, visitors, its economy, and the oceans and coasts in the near term and into the future. The task of developing and implementing strategies to adapt to the consequences of climate change will require the collaborative efforts of a wide range of experts, including physical and natural scientists, engineers, social scientists, medical scientists, those in the humanities, community planners, business leaders, and economists.

The Florida Ocean Alliance (FOA) is dedicated to communicating ocean and coastal scientific information to governments and private organizations so that policy decisions on issues, such as climate change, will be based on the best available science. FOA encourages enhanced support for peer-reviewed climate research and scientific assessments as well as education and public outreach to support climate related policies. FOA also urges scientists to participate in climate research, education, scientific assessments, and policy discussions and that related discussions and decision-making be based upon objective assessment of peer reviewed scientific research results.