A roundup of news items related to climate change and other environmental issues in Florida:
The Atlantic is hotter, earlier. That’s a bad sign for hurricane season, Florida corals | Miami Herald
It’s only February, but sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean are already hitting early summer levels, a worrying trend that could indicate an active hurricane season ahead — or another marine heat wave.
Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at the University of Miami, called this early season heat “very, very exceptional,” and said it’s a strong sign that the upcoming hurricane season could see an above-average number of storms.
In the North Atlantic, he said water temperatures are running three months ahead of schedule, at May-level temperatures. In the main development region of the Atlantic, where most hurricanes are born, McNoldy said sea surface temperatures are closer to July levels.
Solar power expansion in state heats up as utilities seek energy alternatives | Naples Daily News
A drive deep into the woods along an unpaved road in southern Palm Bay, suddenly and surprisingly leads to row upon row of solar panels.
There are more than 284,000 panels in all, sitting on 486 acres owned by Florida Power & Light Co., the nation’s largest electric utility.
A little farther down the road from the Palm Bay Solar Energy Center, FPL has a second one called the Ibis Solar Energy Center, which launched at the end of January. And, nearby, land has been reserved for a third one, the Fox Trail Solar Energy Center, which will open in early 2025.
Surging home insurance costs could force families to leave these 10 states | Fox Business
The astronomic rise in mortgage rates and spike in home prices over the past year has pushed a key tenet of the American dream out of reach for millions of families.
Now, there is another obstacle to homeownership: higher home insurance premiums. The average cost of home insurance for a $300,000 property in the U.S. surged 12% in 2023 to roughly $1,770 per year, according to a new report published by Insurify, an insurance comparison website headquartered in Massachusetts.
However, home insurance is even more expensive in states plagued by severe weather and other climate-related catastrophes. In fact, as the frequency and severity of destructive weather events have increased, more areas are considered high risk and unprofitable for insurance companies, the report said.
If you have any news items of note that you think we should include in our next roundup, please email The Invading Sea Editor Nathan Crabbe at ncrabbe@fau.edu. Sign up for The Invading Sea newsletter by visiting here.
