TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa Bay’s climate and rising sea levels were topics of discussion during a forum hosted by Tampa Bay Watch and News Channel 8’s Chief Meteorologist & Climate Specialist, Jeff Berardelli.

A panel of experts gathered at Tampa Bay Watch’s headquarters, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South in Tierra Verde Tuesday evening and answered questions about climate change and rising sea levels and their impact on Tampa Bay today and in the future.

Berardelli moderated the discussion and was joined by  Gary Mitchum, a professor at the University of South Florida, IPCC Author and National Climate Assessment Reviewer, Cara W. Serra, the Principal Resiliency Planner at the TBRPC Regional Resiliency Coalition and Maya Burke, the Assistant Director at the Tampa Bay Estuary Program.

“Over the last few years Tampa Bay has lost 30% of it’s sea grass, an indication that – after years of improvement – water quality has taken a big hit. And the bay will face more challenges going forward, such as nutrient pollution from run off, sea level rise and warming waters. During the roundtable local experts will weigh in on the issues and solutions,” Berardelli said.

You can watch the event in the video player above.