Florida and Climate Change: The Costs of Inaction

This report was the first detailed analysis of the potential consequences of continued climate change for the state of Florida's economy. The report concludes that, if left unchecked, climate change will significantly harm Florida’s economy in the next several decades, and that impacts on just three sectors - tourism, electric utilities, and real estate - together with effects of hurricanes, would shrink Florida’s Gross State Product by 5% by the end of the century.

The report describes the results of two distinct scenarios - rapid stabilization with large-scale reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and that of the "business as usual" scenario with details of the significant impacts of climate change if no immediate mitigation measures are taken. The potential economic impacts on agriculture, tourism, forestry, fisheries and insurance industries are presented. The potential economic impacts on the infrastructure sector are also delineated, including real estate, transportation, electricity and water system projections. The report describes direct hurricane damage projections, and climate change implications on ecosystems - including sea-level rise, salt water intrusion, higher temperatures and less rainfall, and severe hurricanes. The Everglades ecosystem is highlighted for its significance in housing biodiversity and as a fresh water resource. While already at half its original size, severely depleted and polluted, the Everglades will face serious consequences from climate change, which are further detailed. 

Publication Date: November 2007

Authors or Affiliated Users:

  • Elizabeth Stanton
  • Frank Ackerman

Related Organizations:

  • Tufts University

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Resource Types:

  • Assessment

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