The project titled “The Beach as Contested Space: Applying Public Policy Analysis to Florida’s Foreseeable Future of Rising Seas and Receding Shorelines” is an interdisciplinary initiative aimed at addressing the complex challenges posed by climate-induced shoreline dynamics. Utilizing scenario analysis as a methodological framework, the project seeks to explore and evaluate alternative futures for Florida’s sandy beaches, which are critical both economically and ecologically. The initiative convenes experts from diverse fields, including law, public policy, coastal geomorphology, and climate science, to collaboratively apply this methodology. The primary objective is to inform public policy and contribute to the field of public policy analysis by identifying new approaches to coastal management and recommending necessary legal and policy reforms. The project underscores the significant value of Florida’s beaches, which are increasingly threatened by erosion and rising sea levels and aims to provide insights into adaptive governance strategies that can mitigate these impacts. Through the publication of interdisciplinary papers and the development of academic and communication products, the project aspires to enhance understanding and guide discourse on sustainable beach management in the context of climate change.
Alyson Flournoy, University of Florida Levin College of Law
