South Florida

How climate change could be changing our everyday lives in South Florida

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories explores the practical effects of climate change on various parts of life in South Florida.

Researchers in Miami have identified that around half of the city's signature native trees, such as live oaks and sabal palms, face risk from increasing temperatures due to climate change. And frequent extreme weather events have prompted spikes in food prices on South Florida menus.

Read the stories below.

Kenneth Feeley, UM biology professor and Director of the Gifford Arboretum Department of Biology, measures a tree on campus. His research found that more than half of Miami’s trees will be stressed by rising temperatures. By Ashley Miznazi

NO. 1: ABOUT HALF OF MIAMI’S NATIVE TREES AT RISK FROM RISING TEMPS. WHAT SHOULD WE PLANT NOW?

“Unfortunately many trees will be lost and that’s a consequence of modern climate change” | Published December 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ashley Miznazi

Chefs Val and Nando Chang at the counter of the original Itamae at the former St. Roch Market (now MIA Market), where they opened in 2018. Val Chang hosted the James Beard Foundation at her restaurant, Maty’s, on Jan. 22 to discuss how climate change is disrupting the restaurant and farming industries. By MATIAS J. OCNER

NO. 2: RISING PRICES ON SOUTH FLORIDA MENUS? RISING COSTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE CONTRIBUTE

“Climate change has a direct impact on the supply chain that your favorite chefs depend on.” | Published January 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ashley Miznazi

No children were playing on the dinosaur or pony ride at the Little River Pocket Mini Park Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 9, 2021, after the park was flooded with King Tide waters. This type of flooding could be much more common in the future as sea levels rise. By Emily Michot

NO. 3: WE ANSWER YOUR CLIMATE QUESTIONS: HOW MUCH SEA LEVEL RISE IS MIAMI EXPECTING?

Exactly how high will the tide rise? Scientists have a prediction. | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Harris

A resident walks with her belongings through the flooded N 15th St in North Tampa, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, a day after Hurricane Milton crossed Florida’s Gulf Coast. By Pedro Portal

NO. 4: FLORIDA MOST AT RISK OF ‘SEVERE COASTAL FLOODING.’ NEW RESEARCH SHOWS WHERE

‘This is a level of exposure that’s going to require a massive amount of planning and investment in coastal resilience.’ | Published April 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Hruby

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.