Hearings

Leading the Way: Adapting to South Florida's Changing Coastline

April 22, 2014
10:00 AM City Hall, Commission Chambers City of Miami Beach

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Science and Space will hold a hearing at the Miami Beach City Hall on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. titled, “Leading the Way: Adapting to South Florida’s Changing Coastline”. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) will chair this hearing on the 44th anniversary of Earth Day. 

The hearing will provide an overview of climate science analyses conducted by federal agencies, and by Florida universities, that inform state and local government adaptation plans. Witnesses will discuss the economic impacts of climate change to Florida’s tourism and insurance industries, as well as efforts to reduce the carbon emissions that drive climate change.

Florida has recorded between five and eight inches of sea level rise in the past 50 years. Due to climate change, Florida could experience up to three feet of sea level rise by 2100. The impacts of flooding, saltwater intrusion, and land erosion on Florida’s coastal habitats and economies have prompted local governments to action. Sen. Nelson will lead the discussion on the steps already underway and explore potential new solutions to these growing problems.

LEADING THE WAY: ADAPTING TO SOUTH FLORIDA’S CHANGING COASTLINE

Subcommittee Field Hearing
Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Hearing Start Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location:     City Hall, Commission Chambers, City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Please note the hearing will be webcast live via the Senate Commerce Committee website. Refresh the Commerce Committee homepage 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to automatically begin streaming the webcast.

Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid or service, including closed captioning service for the webcast hearing, should contact Stephanie Gamache at 202-224-5511 at least three business days in advance of the hearing date.

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Testimony

  • The Honorable Philip Levine

    Mayor of the City of Miami Beach, FL
    Download Testimony (96.90 KB)

  • Dr. Piers Sellers

    Deputy Director for Sciences and Exploration, Goddard Space Flight Center
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Download Testimony (3.32 MB)

  • Mrs. Kristin Jacobs

    County Commissioner, Broward County
    Member, White House Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience
    Download Testimony (161.68 KB)

  • Dr. Fred Bloetscher

    Associate Professor, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geomatics Engineering
    Florida Atlantic University
    Download Testimony (787.48 KB)

  • Mr. William D. Talbert III

    President & Chief Executive Officer
    Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
    Download Testimony (85.38 KB)

  • Dr. Megan Linkin

    Natural Hazards Expert
    Swiss Re Global Partnerships
    Download Testimony (61.15 KB)