by Katie Valentine

Sea level rise is threatening Florida’s coastlines and straining its economy, and Floridians want to know what the presidential candidates will do about it.

More than 120 Florida county officials and scientists sent a letter to President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney today urging them to address, while campaigning and debating in Florida, how they will deal with sea level rise. The letter asks candidates to answer three questions while in the state:

• What will be the federal government’s planning and policy priorities in order to reduce the risks of future sea level rise?

• What will be the polices for adaptive measures to respond to current and future impacts of sea level rise?

• How would you work with the rest of the world to address rising sea levels and other effects of climate change?

It also outlines what could happen if sea level rise is not addressed in Florida:

As citizens and scientists concerned about the impacts and costs of sea level rise on our nation, we urge you to address this issue when you will be in Boca Raton, Florida.

Scientists project increased coastal and inland flooding and inundation, an increased likelihood of significant ...

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