Seaside, a coastal town in Florida, was hit by two hurricanes in a ten-year time span that caused millions of dollars in damage. Both times, the government paid to help rebuild Seaside. Scientists project a high likelihood of future hurricanes as the effects of climate change take their toll. Other residents in the state protest the repeated use of public funds to rebuild Seaside. They argue that Seaside residents have made a free choice to stay in the path of destruction, so they should pay for future damages. But Seaside residents point out that their beaches are a source of recreation for people from all over the state, so it is in everyone’s interest to use public funds to rebuild after the next storm. Who should pay for the consequences of climate change?

Pick one of these positions (or create your own).

OR CREATE YOUR OWN POSITION