Trump's budget could hurt Jacksonville
Originally published in The Florida Times-Union on September 6, 2017
In August I moved to Jacksonville to become an Assistant Professor in University of North Florida’s Biology Department. I’m excited to work and raise a family here because of Jacksonville’s history and welcoming communities. I’m also eager to study the region’s wildlife while educating some of the brightest young people northeast Florida has to offer.
San Marco Blvd. in Jacksonville, FL during Hurricane Irma (Photo credit: Will Dickey)
Despite my enthusiasm, I’m concerned for Jacksonville’s future given the financial plans being discussed in our nation’s capital. President Trump’s proposed 2018 budget appears to benefit Jacksonville with its military-friendly priorities, but approval of this budget could actually hurt northeast Florida.
The President’s budget includes major cuts to non-defense funding, including programs that support scientific research. Science funding cuts would have a nation-wide impact, but would be especially damaging for Jacksonville because of threats from extreme weather events, warming temperatures, and rising sea levels.
Extreme weather events, like Hurricane Irma, can quickly cause massive destruction to Jacksonville, but the chronic effects of environmental changes can be equally damaging. Scientists predict increasing temperatures and humidity will harm the health of Florida residents, especially children and the elderly. Meanwhile, the real estate company Zillow forecasts that more than 12% of Florida properties could end up underwater this century as sea levels rise.
The military is not immune to these environmental changes, either. According to reporting by Navy Times, Naval Station Mayport could lose a quarter of its land to sea level rise by 2050, and over half by 2100. The military contributes $12 billion annually to the local economy and employs 100,000 people, so damage to NS Mayport would certainly hurt Jacksonville’s finances.
Environmental threats to Jacksonville will be difficult to manage without robust investments in scientific research that fuels the development of coastal adaptation programs and accurate predictions of environmental change. Military decision-makers will need these tools in order to adapt, as will local political leaders, homeowners, and businesses.
To help protect Jacksonville, our members of Congress should push for increased funding for scientific research, technological innovation, and infrastructure repair, maintenance, and enhancement. They should also allocate a portion of the defense budget toward developing sea level rise adaptation plans for military installations along the coast.
Investments in scientific research capacity and infrastructure today are needed to build resilience and develop problem-solving capabilities for tomorrow. With support from federal non-defense spending, Jacksonville can remain healthy and vibrant into the future. My family is betting on it.