Brief remarks on Florida and the climate crisis:

The oceans are hotter causing rapid intensification of hurricanes such as Michael that landed as a category 5 which was unexpected for the panhandle. Eight inches of sea level rise so far has narrowed beaches and is endangering the Florida Keys, Miami Beach, and more to come. Heat facilitates spread of mosquitoes, Zika virus, and other threats. We are also expanding our population and developing coastal, low lying, and dangerous areas at a furious pace. We have approximately 40% of the USA’s coastal property by valuation. “Managed retreat” or at least not expanding human presence in at-risk areas would be smart. Instead, we continue marching unarmed into an open field to be slaughtered by the ramifications of the climate crisis.