Replay: Episode 29 – Resiliency in South Florida

Sea level rise, Murley says, or the model of projected sea level rise, is a stress, that amplifies the impact of events, such as the storm surge from hurricanes. Resilient 305 is the comprehensive plan for managing stresses and events. It’s a wide ranging plan, with more than 60 action items, including preserving housing, improving mobility and addressing inequities. Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami and City of Miami Beach created the plan as part of the Rockefeller 100 Cities program. He credits the Rockefeller program with creating a network of CROs (chief resiliency officers) across the United States, changing and elevating the conversation about dealing with everything from storms to pandemics to climate change.

Murley brings long experience to the job – and to the podcast. He refers to foundational US law – the Coastal Lands Management Act – and more recent advances in science and policy in response to large events such as Hurricane Sandy. He describes how the South Florida Climate Change Compact laid the foundation for collaboration around resiliency. He describes the geology and settlement history of Florida – with the state’s first railroad on high ground – and how transportation, development, tourism and storms continue to define the region.