Global warming update from Water Management District

FORT MEYERS, Fla. - Planning for the affects of global warming on our coastline.

That's what the South Florida Water Management district mapped out Tuesday afternoon.

According to experts, our state is very vulnerable to the affects of climate change.

You won't see any structures built any time soon in reaction to global warming, but it's on the radar.

Water managers heard a presentation Tuesday afternoon in Fort Meyers on the potential impact of global warming and what needs to be done to protect South Florida if water levels rise.

Those projections go out, 20, 30, and even 50 years from now.

One potential threat discussed: Ocean water leaking into ground water.

Florida Atlantic University climate change initiative director Dr. Leonard Berry says now is the time to plan.

"Yeah, there's a long term but there's also an immediate and short term," said Dr. Berry.

Dr, Berry says the ocean has risen 6 inches in the last 25 years around Florida.

Dr. Berry says the water will likely rise higher and there's nothing we can do to stop it.

Creating a plan to fend off the affects of global warming is a good plan says Dr. Berry.

"In my opinion they have no option. I think 5 years ago, 6 years ago that would have been a good question to ask. I think now the general consensus is we have to begin to act."

No specific construction plans were revealed at Tuesday’s presentation.