New “Waterways” episode tackles climate change, sea level rise in south Florida

Aerial photo of Keys shorelines at risk by sea level rise.

The latest episode of the educational television series “Waterways” examines the threats south Florida could face from rising sea levels associated with global climate change.

The new episode is entitled “Climate Change and Sea Level Rise in South Florida.” It includes resource managers, scientists and educators who discuss the potential impacts of what an estimated global sea-level rise between eight and 80 inches by the end of the century could have on people, habitat and wildlife.

Using various modeling tools, scientists are using data from past hurricanes, other notable weather events and NOAA’s latest research to help predict what a future south Florida might look like.  Also included in the program is how this human-caused problem might be eased through human solutions, such as conserving energy and reducing our carbon footprint.

With more than 200 episodes produced since 1993, the “Waterways” television series is a joint project between Everglades National Park, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, informing viewers of the diverse wonders of the south Florida ecosystem, and the research and conservation programs that protect them.

“Waterways” airs on public and government channels throughout the state of Florida — check local listings for scheduling. Episodes can be viewed on the WaterwaysTvShow YouTube channel.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects 2,900 square nautical miles of critical marine habitat, including coral reef, hard bottom, sea grass meadows, mangrove communities and sand flats. NOAA and the state of Florida manage the sanctuary.

More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency supports the Waterways program through the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Protection Program established in 1993 and dedicated to the restoration and protection of corals, shellfish, wildlife and recreational activities on the water. To learn more, visit http://ocean.floridamarine.org/fknms_wqpp/pages/wqpp.html.