Hernando residents can learn about climate change

In the coming decades Florida residents will face increasing disruptions from climate change: hotter temperatures, more storms, tropical diseases, fresh water shortages and rising seas; Hernando County residents can learn about how their community might fare in a warming climate at a forum Thursday night in Spring Hill. It’s hosted by the Sierra Club Adventure Coast Committee. Their spokesperson is DeeVon Quirolo.

Listen to the interview here:

“The Sierra Club Adventure Coast Committee will be hosting Gene Kelly to speak on climate reality in Hernando County. Gene’s going to provide us with an overview of the current information regarding climate change and projections on how it will impact our community, especially sea level rise, here, in Hernando County.

“The reason that we think this is an important issue is because it is obviously something that is going to affect everybody. And in order to be informed and be able to make informed decisions for our future, we felt it would be appropriate to offer his presentation to the community.

“So, we hope everybody will feel welcome to attend. It begins at 6:30 p.m. We meet at the Northwood building at 5331 Commercial Way in Spring Hill. Again, the meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. with a potluck and social and the program begins at 7:00 p.m. The public is welcome to attend and we hope to see you there.”

And if people want to find out more information?

“They can call me. The number here is (352) 277-3330. They can also join us on Facebook at Sierra Club Adventure Coast.”

And finally, what’s specific about Hernando County? Why are you concerned about sea level rise? Here in Pinellas and Hillsborough, we have kind of a linear, almost, coastline, where there are sandy beaches or mangroves. But, in Hernando County, it’s very non-linear.

“We do have a coastal community, Hernando Beach, is an area of canals and ocean-front homes. There’s also commercial fisheries in that area. Some of the areas are already experiencing flooding. So, in order to be proactive about addressing potential additional rises and flooding and impacts to the coastal community, we felt it would be important to address it.”

“…Sea-level rise of just 2 meters will affect over 3 million people in Florida alone, according the U.S. Geologic Survey. And worldwide, of course, millions of people will be affected. So, I think it’s important for all of us to pay attention to this coming ecological challenge and invest in plans to deal with it in a responsible manner.”