Climate variability poses significant changes to the environment, natural resources, and communities throughout Florida. The southeast is particularly vulnerable to climate change compared to other cities across the country with expected impacts to infrastructure and human health. Degraded coastal environments reduce natural buffers to storms and flooding, resulting in increased risks to people and economies in coastal communities.

Mitigating and adapting to climate change requires action on all levels, from individuals, communities, and governments. Because it is a problem driven by the activities of people, solutions must evolve from the actions and needs of people. Stakeholders including policy makers, local governments, and the public want reliable, scientific, region-specific climate information so they can better prepare their communities for climate variability into the future.

This symposium is designed to unite these communities of practice throughout the state as we collectively address and improve outcomes for water inundation stemming from high tides, storm surge, extreme events, runoff from excessive rainfall, poor drainage, and other sources impacting the built environment.