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Check out these Christmas, Hanukkah events in Miami

It's the most wonderful time of the year: The winter holidays are upon us.

News

Nudists are planning a museum and library in Miami

Cost of living in South Florida outpaces national average

Two new projects in the works for filmmakers behind "Cocaine Cowboys"

Focused on Carlos Lehder, "The Last of the Cocaine Cowboys" will be released in 2024.

Tropical depression forecast to become major hurricane

Another week, another storm to keep our eyes on.Driving the news: After Hurricane Idalia <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hit the Big Bend last week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/08/31/we-got-lucky-again-tampa-bay-hurricane-idalia" data-vars-content-id="82e9fc06-99d7-48e5-84f8-b8b698427af7" data-vars-headline="Tropical depression forecast to become major hurricane" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/08/31/we-got-lucky-again-tampa-bay-hurricane-idalia" target="_self">hit the Big Bend last week</a>, a new tropical storm in the Atlantic Ocean is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="forecast to become a Category 4 hurricane" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/tropical-storm-lee-hurricane-caribbean-forecast-920cc05aa24a8eaabeefa39eb57e7153" data-vars-content-id="82e9fc06-99d7-48e5-84f8-b8b698427af7" data-vars-headline="Tropical depression forecast to become major hurricane" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/tropical-storm-lee-hurricane-caribbean-forecast-920cc05aa24a8eaabeefa39eb57e7153" target="_blank">forecast to become a Category 4 hurricane</a> by this weekend.

How is climate change affecting you?

Climate

👋 Deirdra here. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/energy-environment/climate-change" data-vars-content-id="50d43d6f-05af-46b6-825c-e3992dbf4331" data-vars-headline="How is climate change affecting you?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/energy-environment/climate-change" target="_self">Climate change</a> stresses me out, largely because of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasing insurance premiums" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/05/19/why-property-insurance-keep-rising-florida-miami" data-vars-content-id="50d43d6f-05af-46b6-825c-e3992dbf4331" data-vars-headline="How is climate change affecting you?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/05/19/why-property-insurance-keep-rising-florida-miami" target="_self">increasing insurance premiums</a> and concerns for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="my son&#x27;s future" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/05/12/hacks-single-moms-mothers-day-miami-florida" data-vars-content-id="50d43d6f-05af-46b6-825c-e3992dbf4331" data-vars-headline="How is climate change affecting you?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/05/12/hacks-single-moms-mothers-day-miami-florida" target="_self">my son&#x27;s future</a>.What&#x27;s happening: I cope by looking for the good, and dark humor helps. At least when it&#x27;s too hot for bees to survive and our food supply subsequently crashes, we&#x27;ll all be on Ozempic with no appetites!

Illustration of a thermometer in the shape of a question mark.

Summertime SAD: Inside the recognized disorder

It could become a growing problem as heat persists and climate change gets worse.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that usually occurs when days get short and dark in autumn and winter — but there&#x27;s a summer version of it, too.Why it matters: The heat in Miami <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="broke records" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/18/miami-weather-heat-wave-climate" data-vars-content-id="33a5b802-af40-43e0-85a3-d0899a1f9270" data-vars-headline="Summertime SAD: Inside the recognized disorder" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/18/miami-weather-heat-wave-climate" target="_self">broke records</a> this summer.

Miami's built environment is leading to "heat islands"

White roofs, reflective pavements and more trees can all help.

Miami is tied with Chicago for having the third-worst &quot;urban heat island effect&quot; — increased temperatures from buildings and roads having replaced vegetation — of 44 large U.S. cities, according to nonprofit Climate Central.Why it matters: Heat islands can make cities less livable and increase the risk of heat-related health complications, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Alex Fitzpatrick reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/26/heat-islands-cities-heat-wave-climate?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioswhatsnext&amp;stream=science" data-vars-content-id="0719769b-622f-4146-9eb5-76072de72456" data-vars-headline="Miami&#x27;s built environment is leading to &quot;heat islands&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/26/heat-islands-cities-heat-wave-climate?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioswhatsnext&amp;stream=science" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Alex Fitzpatrick reports</a>.

Illustration of a man leaning against a traffic post on a sidewalk with a light beaming down

Gas leaf blowers now banned in Miami Beach and South Miami

The cities want to crack down on pollution and noise.

Gas-powered leaf blowers are now banned in Miami Beach and South Miami after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city officials" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mbrisingabove.com/leaf-blowers/" data-vars-content-id="793fb3dd-b8ff-4f94-ade8-040a0457dcd0" data-vars-headline="Gas leaf blowers now banned in Miami Beach and South Miami" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mbrisingabove.com/leaf-blowers/" target="_blank">city officials</a> took issue with the air pollution and noise they emit.Why it matters: They are the latest municipalities to ban the gas-guzzling garden gadgets and encourage electric-powered leaf blowers after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Key Biscayne in 2018" data-vars-click-url="https://www.islandernews.com/news/landscapers-and-home-gardeners-take-note-as-of-feb-25-gas-powered-leaf-blowers-are/article_da67c3ee-e041-11e7-b102-fbfca99c5d9a.html" data-vars-content-id="793fb3dd-b8ff-4f94-ade8-040a0457dcd0" data-vars-headline="Gas leaf blowers now banned in Miami Beach and South Miami" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.islandernews.com/news/landscapers-and-home-gardeners-take-note-as-of-feb-25-gas-powered-leaf-blowers-are/article_da67c3ee-e041-11e7-b102-fbfca99c5d9a.html" target="_blank">Key Biscayne in 2018</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Naples in 2021" data-vars-click-url="https://www.naplesgov.com/codeenforcement/page/leaf-blower-noise-ordinance-amendment#:~:text=City%20of%20Naples%20Leaf%20Blowers&amp;text=A%20second%20reading%20of%20the,leaf%20blowers%20within%20the%20City." data-vars-content-id="793fb3dd-b8ff-4f94-ade8-040a0457dcd0" data-vars-headline="Gas leaf blowers now banned in Miami Beach and South Miami" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.naplesgov.com/codeenforcement/page/leaf-blower-noise-ordinance-amendment#:~:text=City%20of%20Naples%20Leaf%20Blowers&amp;text=A%20second%20reading%20of%20the,leaf%20blowers%20within%20the%20City." target="_blank">Naples in 2021</a>.

Illustration of a no symbol with a leaf blower for a crossbar.

As ocean temperatures hit 101°F, scientists rush to move corals

Corals will likely be housed at the Keys Marine Laboratory for months.

Scientists in the Florida Keys have moved roughly 1,500 coral specimens from the ocean into tanks on land, hoping to save them as unprecedented water temperatures spur a massive coral bleaching event.Why it matters: When water is too warm, corals expel algae that lives in their tissues, which causes them to turn white in an event known as coral bleaching, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NOAA" data-vars-click-url="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral_bleach.html" data-vars-content-id="041891d8-1bdf-4d6f-99ea-5583db3d8ee5" data-vars-headline="As ocean temperatures hit 101°F, scientists rush to move corals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral_bleach.html" target="_blank">NOAA</a>. This can lead to die-offs, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Rebecca Falconer reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/25/florida-coral-reef-ocean-temperatures" data-vars-content-id="041891d8-1bdf-4d6f-99ea-5583db3d8ee5" data-vars-headline="As ocean temperatures hit 101°F, scientists rush to move corals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/25/florida-coral-reef-ocean-temperatures" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Rebecca Falconer reports</a>.

Farmworker mourned amid push for safety reforms

Efraín López García died earlier this month after experiencing heat exhaustion.

Loved ones and farmworker advocates gathered yesterday to mourn the death of Efraín López García, a 30-year-old worker who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died earlier this month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.local10.com/news/local/2023/07/19/homestead-farm-worker-dies-due-to-historic-heat-wave/" data-vars-content-id="5f5f6dd5-5f26-4204-b43f-bf3c35be1eaf" data-vars-headline="Farmworker mourned amid push for safety reforms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.local10.com/news/local/2023/07/19/homestead-farm-worker-dies-due-to-historic-heat-wave/" target="_blank">died earlier this month</a> after experiencing heat exhaustion.Driving the news: Advocates say López García&#x27;s death could have been prevented by proposed reforms that would require heat training, plus shade and water breaks for farmworkers.

Efraín López García, a 30-year-old worker who died earlier this month after experiencing heat exhaustion

What El Niño and a warm Atlantic Ocean could mean for Florida

Temperatures in the North Atlantic Ocean are alarming scientists.

An El Niño climate pattern, which happens roughly every two to seven years, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="began in June" data-vars-click-url="https://www.weather.gov/news/230706-ElNino" data-vars-content-id="d7b15b6a-d1da-498e-9c4b-9b3cf43130b2" data-vars-headline="What El Niño and a warm Atlantic Ocean could mean for Florida" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weather.gov/news/230706-ElNino" target="_blank">began in June</a>. Typically, it brings wind shear that suppresses hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean.Why it matters: This year, however, temperatures in the North Atlantic are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="so hot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/02/atlantic-hurricane-season-record-warm-oceans-climate" data-vars-content-id="d7b15b6a-d1da-498e-9c4b-9b3cf43130b2" data-vars-headline="What El Niño and a warm Atlantic Ocean could mean for Florida" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/02/atlantic-hurricane-season-record-warm-oceans-climate" target="_self">so hot</a> that they&#x27;re <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="alarming scientists" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/13/climate-extremes-warming-charts-concerns" data-vars-content-id="d7b15b6a-d1da-498e-9c4b-9b3cf43130b2" data-vars-headline="What El Niño and a warm Atlantic Ocean could mean for Florida" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/13/climate-extremes-warming-charts-concerns" target="_self">alarming scientists</a> and could counteract El Niño.

Illustration of a question mark with a hurricane icon as the dot

Miami's mosquitoes are getting more comfortable

The temperature is just right for the flying insects to thrive.

Noticed a slight uptick of mosquitoes buzzing around? We have the proof you&#x27;re itching for.Driving the news: The number of &quot;mosquito days&quot; — those with the hot and humid weather the flying insects crave — has trended upward in Miami over the past several decades, according to a new analysis from nonprofit research organization Climate Central.

Report warns of a real estate "climate bubble"

About 39 million properties are overvalued, per the First Street Foundation report.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report out today" data-vars-click-url="https://firststreet.org/" data-vars-content-id="3792c42d-821c-40c0-ae3a-f2c84d5f9dae" data-vars-headline="Report warns of a real estate &quot;climate bubble&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://firststreet.org/" target="_blank">report out today</a> by First Street Foundation, a nonprofit that analyzes climate risk, warns the national real estate market &quot;has not adequately priced the cost of climate into its valuation,&quot; and a &quot;growing climate bubble&quot; that is &quot;similar to past bubbles in the real-estate market&quot; is just starting to be recognized.What&#x27;s happening: Regulators seeking to keep property insurance affordable have artificially suppressed rates that insurance companies are allowed to charge, the report explains.

Women walk past wood and debris from a hurricane 

Climate 🌿