Closing the Resilience Gap: What Will it Take? Based on PBSs Sinking - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Closing the Resilience Gap: What Will it Take? Based on PBS’s Sinking Cities: Miami

The Science and Dr. Davina L. Passeri Research Oceanographer Realities in the U.S. Geological Survey Tampa Bay Area St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center 2

Coastal response to sea level rise Beaches Estuaries Passeri et al., 2015 • The coast is not a bathtub! • We need to consider how the coast will respond to higher water levels • Increased tidal flooding, storm surge flooding, beach erosion, wetland loss 3

Restoration strategies for coastal resilience • Hard structures • Sea walls • Jetties • Breakwaters • Natural and Nature-Based Features • Dune restoration Source: USACE • Beach nourishment • Marshes, seagrass beds, oyster reefs • Outcomes • Wave attenuation • Shoreline stabilization • Storm surge reduction 4

Sea level rise and Tampa Bay Rapid expansion and new development Critical infrastructure Future hazards Source: USGS Source: St Pete Pier Source: Visit St Pete/Clearwater Source: WFLA Source: Tampa Climate Science Advisory Panel Source: Tampa Bay Times Source: Fox 13 With more human lives at stake, measures to enhance coastal resilience are no longer an option but a necessity 5

Ec Economics onomics & Eq Equity uity of Cl f Clim imat ate e Change hange – Pr Prof. of. Patri atrick ck Luce uce • Resiliency Planning is a Public Good • The efficient allocation will not be met by the private market due to free-rider problem • How do you size a Resilience Strategy? • Cost-Benefit Analysis • Stormwater Master Plan Update and the Miami Forever Bond • Master Plan is in progress • $192M dedicated to sea level rise mitigation and flood prevention • Who Pays? • We can quantify the consequences of an inadequately funded stormwater system • Protection of Property Values and the Macroeconomy

Et Ethics hics an and d Pol olicy icy – Pr Prof. of. Chr hrist istian ian Mo Moriar riarty ty • 2 feet rise by 2060, downtown and beach below sea level • 6 feet rise by 2100! • Vulnerable displacement as a result • Class differences in how people respond • Climate Gentrification • Resilience no matter what the cost? • “Retreat is not an option” • Is spending so much money here the optimal option? • Ethical Theory: Utilitarianism vs Natural Rights • Most good/happiness vs. Our rights and obligations to each other