--- title: "Florida adapts to rising seas with new seawalls and housing" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/climate/florida-adapts-to-rising-seas-with-new-seawalls-and-housing" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/florida-adapts-to-rising-seas-with-new-seawalls-and-housing" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/climate/florida-adapts-to-rising-seas-with-new-seawalls-and-housing.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/florida-adapts-to-rising-seas-with-new-seawalls-and-housing" category: "Climate" area: "United States" published: "2026-08-22T15:05:12.115Z" source_reported: "2026-08-22T13:46:01.000Z" updated: "2026-08-22T15:05:12.115Z" trust_score: 60 critic_score: 60 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-22T16:15:10.919447+00:00" --- # Florida adapts to rising seas with new seawalls and housing *Coastal communities are implementing innovative strategies to combat climate change impacts.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. Two full reports and 14 digests corroborate the central claims about climate adaptation in Florida. - Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. The reporting clearly separates fact from comment and provides specific details about adaptation efforts. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language used is measured and proportionate, with no sensationalism or manufactured urgency. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Florida is implementing adaptation strategies to address threats from sea level rise and storms. - Approximately 129 million people, nearly 40% of the U.S. population, live in coastal counties. - Anya Freeman launched Kind Designs in 2024 to create 3D-printed living seawalls that mimic natural coastal features. - Jeffrey Huber recalled Hurricane Andrew damaging his childhood home 34 years ago. Florida is implementing adaptation strategies to address threats from sea level rise and storms. Approximately 129 million people, nearly 40% of the U.S. population, live in coastal counties. Recent research indicates that human-driven sea level rise has increased the frequency of extreme coastal flooding globally. As climate change poses risks to communities, Florida is demonstrating methods for building resilience. Architects and designers across the state are integrating infrastructure with urban planning to develop residential buildings, parks, and other structures designed to better withstand rising waters, intensifying storms, saltwater intrusion, and heat. Jeffrey Huber, a landscape architect and professor, recalled Hurricane Andrew damaging his childhood home 34 years ago. He noted that extreme storms and scenarios are becoming more common. In response to frequent flooding and worsening storm surges in places like Miami Beach, Anya Freeman launched Kind Designs in 2024. The startup creates 3D-printed living seawalls intended to protect shorelines from flooding. These seawalls are designed to be affordable, scalable, and serve as marine habitat, mimicking natural coastal features like mangrove roots. Their technology dissipates at least 45% of wave energy, enhancing resilience against overtopping and erosion. Researchers have identified numerous species living in these seawalls, including filter feeders that help clean water. Kind Designs has installed 16 such seawalls across Florida and plans to expand to California and New York, as well as fortify U.S. Navy coastal bases. The Vista Breeze affordable senior housing project in Miami Beach, developed by Brooks Scarpa Huber, exemplifies adaptation strategies. The 119-unit complex is elevated 10 feet above sea level and engineered to withstand storm surges up to 20 feet. The construction incorporates waterproof concrete and zinc-coated rebar to protect against water penetration and corrosion. Huber stated these are simple, cost-effective steps that enhance building resilience. The buildings are also oriented to benefit from prevailing breezes for passive cooling. In Fort Lauderdale, a former parking lot was transformed into DC Alexander Park, featuring an artistic overlook and a maritime forest along its perimeter that absorbs rainfall and saltwater flooding, providing habitat and recreational space. ## Coverage comparison ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated or centre-rated reports printed below mention the specific cost of implementing these adaptation strategies or the financing mechanisms discussed in the full report from Washington Top News. ## Who covered it Shares of the 19 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 47% (9) - Centre: 53% (10) - Right: 0% (0) 0 of 19 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-22T16:15:10.919447+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-22T16:30:11.517Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports led with the threat of climate change making cities unlivable and highlighted Florida's efforts to adapt using art and new infrastructure. These reports frequently mentioned the park in Miami that re-established hammocks to act as a sponge for rainfall. The Associated Press, The Toronto Star, NiagaraFallsReview.ca, The Seattle Times, The Independent, The Independent (US), Oskaloosa Herald, Bangor Daily News, and The Northern Virginia Daily all carried digests that focused on these aspects. The Associated Press and Bangor Daily News digests also included Jeffrey Huber's recollection of Hurricane Andrew and the damage to his childhood home. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on Florida's implementation of adaptation strategies to address threats from sea level rise and storms. Washington Top News, The Northern Virginia Daily, Cherokee Tribune Ledger News, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, WPLG, WKMG, Click on Detroit, and Winnipeg Free Press digests highlighted the state's efforts in developing seawalls and resilient infrastructure. Washington Top News, in its full report, detailed Anya Freeman's Kind Designs and the creation of 3D-printed living seawalls, as well as the Vista Breeze affordable housing project and DC Alexander Park. These reports also included Jeffrey Huber's personal account of Hurricane Andrew and the broader context of 129 million people living in coastal counties. ### Right No separate framing summary. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 1 - high: 7 - unknown: 1 - veryHigh: 10 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [The Northern Virginia Daily](https://nvdaily.com/associated_press_national/florida-shows-how-to-adapt-as-coastal-cities-face-growing-threats-from-sea-level-rise/article_b3fdbced-2505-5532-a0d6-b84afe4f8db7.html) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [Cherokee Tribune Ledger News](https://tribuneledgernews.com/local_news/state_and_national/florida-shows-how-to-adapt-as-coastal-cities-face-growing-threats-from-sea-level-rise/article_f34db3ae-adea-5126-8776-840b85ac3cc2.html) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [Ottumwa Courier](https://ottumwacourier.com/news/business/florida-shows-how-to-adapt-as-coastal-cities-face-growing-threats-from-sea-level-rise/article_5fae4bf1-43fc-57f9-8481-19d72a168f6c.html) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [KTBS](https://ktbs.com/news/business/florida-shows-how-to-adapt-as-coastal-cities-face-growing-threats-from-sea-level-rise/article_9d90e68b-ac06-5f61-bb76-4aadb972e93c.html) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/08/florida-shows-how-to-adapt-as-coastal-cities-face-growing-threats-from-sea-level-rise-and-storms) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/florida-shows-how-to-adapt-as-coastal-cities-face-growing-threats-from-sea-level-rise-and-storms/article_4a573e68-6697-58cc-94d5-f1afb021bdd6.html) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [NiagaraFallsReview.ca](https://niagarafallsreview.ca/business/florida-shows-how-to-adapt-as-coastal-cities-face-growing-threats-from-sea-level-rise-and-storms/article_3eb272b3-02bf-5f64-a273-bcee16abbfe2.html) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/business/florida-shows-how-to-adapt-as-coastal-cities-face-growing-threats-from-sea-level-rise-and-storms) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/miami-concrete-fort-lauderdale-miami-beach-new-york-b3037511.html) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/sea-level-rise-miami-hurricanes-climate-change-5a96158c5188a0f51ff64a516fe22683) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/miami-concrete-fort-lauderdale-miami-beach-new-york-b3037511.html) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [Oskaloosa Herald](https://oskaloosa.com/news/national_news/florida-shows-how-to-adapt-as-coastal-cities-face-growing-threats-from-sea-level-rise/article_48ff21db-5698-5f9f-96a5-40d0973ebdab.html) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [Bozeman Daily Chronicle](https://bozemandailychronicle.com/wire/business/florida-shows-how-to-adapt-as-coastal-cities-face-growing-threats-from-sea-level-rise/article_04f6176b-66b4-588e-8f2a-4e057a074a19.html) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [WPLG](https://local10.com/news/national/2026/08/22/florida-shows-how-to-adapt-as-coastal-cities-face-growing-threats-from-sea-level-rise-and-storms) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/business/2026/08/22/florida-shows-how-to-adapt-as-coastal-cities-face-growing-threats-from-sea-level-rise-and-storms) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [Click on Detroit](https://clickondetroit.com/business/2026/08/22/florida-shows-how-to-adapt-as-coastal-cities-face-growing-threats-from-sea-level-rise-and-storms) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [Bangor Daily News](https://bangordailynews.com/2026/08/22/nation/florida-shows-how-to-adapt-as-coastal-cities-face-growing-threats-from-sea-level-rise-and-storms) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [NBC Miami](https://nbcmiami.com/news/local/florida-shows-how-to-adapt-as-coastal-cities-face-growing-threats-from-sea-level-rise-and-storms/3849383) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/greenpage/2026/08/22/florida-shows-how-to-adapt-as-coastal-cities-face-growing-threats-from-sea-level-rise-and-storms) — Florida shows how to adapt as coastal cities face growing threats from sea level rise and storms ## Questions **How many people live in U.S. coastal counties?** Approximately 129 million people, which is nearly 40% of the U.S. population, live in coastal counties. This highlights the significant number of individuals and communities vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise and storms. **What are living seawalls?** Living seawalls are 3D-printed structures created by companies like Kind Designs. They are designed to protect shorelines from flooding, mimic natural coastal features, and serve as marine habitat. These innovative walls aim to dissipate wave energy and support aquatic life. **What is an example of resilient housing in Florida?** The Vista Breeze affordable senior housing project in Miami Beach is an example of resilient housing. It is elevated 10 feet above sea level and designed to withstand storm surges up to 20 feet, using waterproof concrete and corrosion-resistant materials. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/climate/florida-adapts-to-rising-seas-with-new-seawalls-and-housing. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Florida adapts to rising seas with new seawalls and housing", https://mediabias.news/climate/florida-adapts-to-rising-seas-with-new-seawalls-and-housing