Climate Change
What FWC is Doing
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is Florida's lead state agency in addressing the impacts of climate change on fish and wildlife. Since 2008, the FWC has been engaged in the research, planning and management necessary to understand and respond to the threat of a changing climate. In 2016, the FWC completed their "Guide to Climate Change Adaptation for Conservation," to provide resources to learn about modeled climate impacts to Florida, ecological consequences to species and habitats, and adaptation strategies.
Impacts on Fish and Wildlife
Florida's wildlife communities will be impacted by rising sea levels, warmer temperatures on land and in water, and changes in seasonal rainfall patterns and storm events.
Adapting to Climate Change
Florida is home to an incredible diversity of native fish and wildlife, including 386 species of bird, 86 species of mammals, 90 species of reptiles, 136 species of fish, and 56 species of amphibians. Rising temperatures and sea levels are likely to change the makeup of entire ecosystems, forcing wildlife to shift their ranges or adapt. Adaptation involves managing the impacts of climate change already set in motion.
What You Can Do
Most scientists now agree that the primary driver of current climate change is an expansion of the "greenhouse effect," or warming that occurs when heat radiating from Earth becomes trapped in our atmosphere. This expansion is largely the result of human activities involving the combustion of fossil fuels, such as driving our cars, operating our power plants, and heating and cooling our homes. Reducing the amount of fossil fuels we use and the carbon and other "greenhouse gases" released into the atmosphere is a responsibility we all share. Your everyday actions can make a difference in reducing emissions and your carbon footprint.
Climate Adaptation Explorer
The Climate Adaptation Explorer provides a starting point from which to address the predicted impacts of climate change on Florida’s fish, wildlife, and ecosystems. It is intended to serve as a resource in understanding potential impacts and to help in the development of adaptation strategies that could be implemented by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and other natural resource management agencies and groups. The goal is that this “guide” will provide the tools for better integration of adaptation actions and tasks into broader policies and programs, serving as a toolkit to help natural resource managers and others understand and address the current and future impacts of climate change on Florida’s ecosystems.
Climate Adaptation Explorer
Climate Adaptation Explorer Quick Guide
Climate Change Contact
Logan Benedict
Logan.Benedict@MyFWC.com