County adds new focus on climate

Office of resilience created

As the federal government pulls back on climate change, Palm Beach County is creating a new “office of resilience” to tackle the issue.

Two environmental analyst positions will be transferred to the new department, which will be led by Natalie Schneider, the county’s climate change and sustainability coordinator. The county hired her two years ago as part of its efforts to prepare for rising seas.

“We are going to continue moving ahead working on the local level, regardless of what goes on,” Schneider said.

President Donald Trump recently withdrew the United States from the Paris climate accord, an environmental agreement that intends to coordinate efforts on global warming signed by195 nations.

Leaders across South Florida repudiated the move. In April, witnesses told a Senate panel of the worsening effects of rising sea levels in South Florida, from flooding in Hollywood, Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale to threats to drinking-water supplies and an increased risk of damage from hurricanes.

Broward County in February ordered that new flood maps be drawn using predictions of higher waters, the latest in a series of steps taken from Palm Beach County to the Keys.

Fort Lauderdale raised the required height of sea walls and the elevation of home sites; Delray Beach added valves to keep salt water out of the city drainage system; Broward County put a financing programin place for home owners who want to tap solar energy.

Palm Beach County’s office of resilience won’t dedicate new funds to the issue, but it will help focus more attention on the county’s efforts, said Jon Van Arnam, deputy county administrator.

“It will help us have an effective center of communication and leadership,” he said.

Miami-Dade and Broward counties have already created similar departments. In 2009, South Florida counties banded together in a regional climate change pact.

Schneider said Palm Beach County’s office will be focused on implementing the county’s Property Assessed Clean Energy Program, which offers loans to homeowners for energy efficiency upgrades. Loans are repaid as an assessment on the borrower’s property tax bill.

The county is also updating its climate action plan, whichwas first developed about five years ago.