Good Evening: 

I would like to personally thank you for convening this hearing today and for extending the commentary 

period to allow additional comments on this important issue. 

As a resident of Southeast Florida with a law degree in Land Use Planning and Environmental Law, I have 

been dedicated for more than a decade to combating the effects of climate change at the local, state 

and national levels. While I am currently a member of the Broward County Task Force on Climate 

Change, and Vice Chair of Davie, Florida's Agricultural and Environmental Advisory Committee, I am here 

today not speaking on their behalf, but rather as a concerned citizen. 

South Florida with its dense population, porous geology, low lying topography is particularly vulnerable 

to the impacts of climate change and sea level rise. According to the 2010 Census, Broward's coastal 

communities are home to more than 620,000 residents, more than 1/3 of its total population. Areas of 

Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach, and the Keys experience seasonal flooding impairing downtown 

businesses, and destroying residential and commercial properties. Last year, storm surge from Tropical 

Storm Sandy destroyed 2,000 feet of AlA, a major roadway and evacuation route that resulted in a loss 

of access to natural resources and beach front that residents and visitors alike enjoy with a price tag of 

over $21 million dollars to repair and a loss of much needed tourism dollars. 

Florida relies on its tourism and agricultural industries for a healthy economy, both of which are severely 

impacted by rising seas. In some areas, sewers back up contaminating city streets and causing a great 

public health risk even on sunny days. Salt wate~ flooding poses a gre_at risk t~ veg_et~tionl :. Sf <1> /cdf «..: c,£<..;.-

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Both private residences and commercial properties are adversely affected by flooding due to rising seas 

and storm surge. Homeowners flood insurance rates facing the loss of subsidies are skyrocketing to the 

point where it is feared that properties will be abandoned, resulting in tragic personal losses. It is feared 

that this will cause a ripple effect into a recovering mortgage industry and severely impact Florida's 

economy and quality of life for its residents. 

Southeast Florida is not alone. Coastal communities throughout the state and nation are faced with 

similar challenges and have initiated climate change action plans. Twenty years ago the Tampa Bay 

Regional Planning Council warned about the implications of sea level rise for Sarasota Bay. 

In January 2010, Broward County joined Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties to form the 

Southeast Regional Climate Change Compact with the goal of developing strategies, including 

greenhouse gas inventories for assessing regional vulnerability to sea level rise. The collaboration 

produced the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Action plan, the first of its kind and a model for other 

municipalities. 

In 2011, the Florida Legislature passed the Community Planning Act which added an optional 

designation of an "adaptation action area" within a government's comprehensive plan's Coastal 

Management Element. The City of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County are each part offive year pilot 

project initiated to integrate sea level rise adaptation into the planning process so governments can 

upgrade their infrastructures in the face of even higher rising sea levels. 

The challenges posed by sea level rise are not limited to cities, states, or regions. Our nation and the 

world in general, is being impacted. According to the U.S. Department of Defense climate change "will 
have serious implications for the ability of the Department of Defense to maintain its natural and built 

infrastructure and to ensure military readiness." According to the DOD, "the effects of climate change 

are being experienced now and are expected to increase in the coming years, even if aggressive 

greenhouse gas mitigation efforts are implemented globally." (ES-1 Assessing Impacts of Climate 

Change on Coastal Military Installations) 

Scientists have been warning that climate change will cause glaciers to melt, reaching the much feared 

tipping point of no return. A few months ago, NASA reported that six West Antarctica glaciers collapsed 

into the sea, a result most likely of warm waters emanating from the already melting Arctic ice cap. 

Have we reached our point of no return? 

Climate change is one of the most urgent issues facing our nation today. If we are to preserve the future 

for our children and grandchildren, we must act now to reduce carbon pollution. 

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. 

Adrienne Kaltman, J.D. 

3564 Meadowbrook Way 

Davie, Florida 33328