This post first appeared on the Florida State University’s Department of Geography News & Chair’s Blog. The violent winds of tornadoes are one of the most dangerous natural hazards on Earth. While relatively rare in any one location they often occur in swarms. I’ve been working with graduate student Zoe Schroder to answer the question of whether…
Category: Climate and Environment
Living with the Lionfish Problem: Awareness and Joint Operations
This post first appeared on the Devoe L. Moore Center blog. As Florida looks inward to address ecological concerns, the lionfish invasion continues to plague coastal citizens and marine fauna. The problem has hampered both fishermen and ecological researchers in the Gulf Coast, effectively choking growth and stability on local reefs. With a growing population in the Gulf,…
Lionfish Epidemic and Its Repercussions for Florida
Over the past thirty years, an invasive species colloquially known as the lionfish has infested coasts across the Gulf of Mexico. Originally native to the Red Sea and Indo-Pacific region, several varieties of this species now populate the coastal waters of Florida and the Caribbean. Though still under review, evidence points to the pet trade as a…
Envisioning St. George Island: A Graduate Planning Project at the Front Lines of Community Engagement and Sustainability
Florida is known worldwide for its beautiful beaches, warm climate, and top-ranked tourist destinations. Florida also has the distinction of being one of the nation’s fastest growing states. Balancing the desires and demands of our ever-growing population with the need to ensure the viability of our economic and natural resources has long been a challenge faced…
Climate Change’s Effect on Tornadoes
Tornadoes, with their potentially violent winds, are one of the most dangerous natural hazards on Earth. While tornadoes are generally pretty rare in any one location, they often occur in swarms. My research attempts to answer the question of whether or not climate change is making tornado swarms worse, and if so, how. Tornadoes can occur anywhere in the United States but are most common east of the Rocky Mountains (see Figure 1). Tornadoes form from large thunderstorms primarily during the months of March through May. These giant thunderstorms are capable of producing very destructive long lasting tornadoes. Swarms of tornadoes are…
Ph.D. Spotlight: “The Island of Lies”: A Qualitative Inquiry of the Disaster Response and Recovery in Puerto Rico Post-Maria
Hurricane Maria made landfall on the island of Puerto Rico in the early hours of September 20th, 2017. Hurricane Maria was a storm of unprecedented strength and a devastating blow to the island of Puerto Rico as the 5th strongest storm to ever hit United States territory. The unparalleled level of devastation combined with a slow-moving…
Research Spotlight: Finding bright spots of hope for Caribbean coral reefs
Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse and productive ecosystems on the planet. They are home to an incredible variety of marine life, including many beautiful and brightly colored fish, corals and other organisms, making them popular destinations for snorkelers and SCUBA divers. But coral reefs are not just a pretty place for tourists to…
Research Spotlight: Lead Poisoning Prevention Efforts in High-Risk Environments
Plenty of parents in the post-COVID-19 world are struggling with the prospects of reopening schools amid the virus surge. Many parents feel overwhelmed by concerns about the untested efficacy of planned safety measures within brick and mortar schools and are awestruck by the gaping holes in proposed distance learning curricula. It is difficult for parents,…
Ph.D. Spotlight: Methods to Improve Existing Heat Wave Surveillance Systems
Elevated and prolonged exposure to extreme heat is an important cause of excess summertimemortality and morbidity. To protect people from health threats, some governments are currentlyoperating syndromic surveillance systems. However, a lack of resources to support time- andlabor- intensive diagnostic and reporting processes make it difficult establishing region-specificsurveillance systems. Big data created by social media…
Hindsight 2020: Hurricane Season & Climate Change
The 2020 hurricane season is here and is expected to be a busy one. We’ve already had three tropical cyclones and it’s still June! Forecasts are unanimous in calling for an active season: seven to ten hurricanes, with most of them likely to occur after August 10th. Cold waters across the eastern tropical Pacific ocean…
