Earth Day Reminder of Living at Ground Zero

This past Earth Day marked one year since Miami-Dade County released its Climate Action Strategy, released as part of the efforts behind achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

In light of the anniversary, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava participated in Florida nonprofit CLEO Institute’s inaugural “Walk the Talk” 5K and shared an update on the county’s progress. The walk took place in the village of Key Biscayne, home to the Rickenbacker Causeway, which is itself a mark of Miami-Dade’s infrastructural needs in the wake of extreme weather.

The county is in the midst of an expedited project development and environmental study to assess the feasibility of replacement or rehabilitation of the causeway’s Bear Cut Bridge. Levine Cava told the Biscayne Times that she already has her eyes on the $562 million federal climate investment announced by Vice President Kamala Harris in Miami April 21 as a source of potential funding for the bridge.

In the meantime, here’s what the county has achieved in the past year and what’s soon to come.

Septic to Sewer

Of the 120,000 properties still served by septic tanks, the county is prioritizing conversions for the approximately 1,200 located in low-lying communities like El Portal and areas most accessible to existing sewer infrastructure.

The Water and Sewer Department’s $126 million General Obligation Bond is supporting those efforts, all of which are expected to be completed by this year.

Notably, the Ojus neighborhood in north Miami-Dade found a unique way to finance its conversion costs by creating a 30-year special taxing district for volunteering property owners.

Renewable Energy

In 2022, the county installed large-scale solar installations at the North Dade Regional Library, South Dade Regional Library and the Metro West Detention Center. It’s now developing a request for proposals for solar power at up to 30 more county facilities.

The county is also currently partnering with Florida nonprofit Solar United Neighbors, which has already helped 218 Miami-Dade property owners go solar, to organize another co-op this year.

As for transportation, 53 electric public buses are already in use as the county prepares to purchase 175 more by 2024, which together will represent more than 10% of its fleet. The Climate Action Strategy sets the goal of electrifying 50% of county vehicles and harnessing 30% of countywide energy from the sun by 2030.

PortMiami also is installing the first shore power system in the southeastern United States, which will allow cruise vessels to charge electrically while docked.

Sustainable Building

Miami-Dade strengthened its sustainable buildings program last year and plans to use federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act to improve upon existing structures.

Last year, the county completed six energy and water audits for participating buildings and held 18 training sessions to teach property owners about low- or no-cost conservation strategies.

This year, construction on the first two net-zero energy-ready schools will be completed. Ground broke on Herbert Ammons Middle School in southwest Miami-Dade and Southside Prep Academy in Brickell in 2022. Both are expected to open in August.

Education & Outreach

Levine Cava said she plans to propose $3.5 million in grants to local organizations to help with public education on climate action. Miami-Dade currently has similar initiatives available through the Office of Resilience that bring awareness of fertilizer runoff and extreme heat.

The county also conducts “youth roundtables” where climate activists in high school and college can discuss and recommend strategies.

“Youth are really our best ambassadors,” said Levine Cava. “They recognize – those who are educated and informed – that they’re inheriting this future, so their voices can really be very powerful.”

Looking Ahead

The Climate Action Strategy 2023 progress report boasts of numerous additional achievements, like the county’s acquisition of nearly 28 additional acres of park space and 553 acres of environmentally endangered lands last year.

It also shares some immediate successes in the pipeline, such as the expected opening of a new waste-to-energy facility next year.

There’s a long way to go until 2050, and disasters like those that caused Miami’s recent gas crisis and wreaked havoc at the pumps are sure to occur again, perhaps more frequently and intensely. But Levine Cava thinks the county’s on the right track.

“I feel very optimistic because I think we are gaining momentum,” she said, “It will take all of us, and we’ll need to track and combine our efforts.”