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Underwater: Broward by Xavier Cortada

Climate change is already shaping the future of our communities—and in South Florida, sea level rise is one of the most urgent threats. The Underwater: Broward is a creative public engagement initiative that combines climate science and art to inform, inspire, and activate Broward County residents around critical issues like sea level rise, public health, and community resilience.

In collaboration with renowned climate artist Xavier Cortada, Broward County has brought climate-themed art workshops to middle and high schools across the region. These workshops help students explore the local impacts of sea level rise and discover their own home's elevation above sea level. Students then create personalized elevation markers—small artworks they can display in their yards or windows—to raise awareness, start conversations, and build community engagement.CortadaSchools2025.jpg

Each participating school also receives a lasting symbol of the project: a custom hand-painted mural that reflects local elevation and encourages ongoing climate action on campus.

“By displaying vulnerable elevations, I am making the invisible visible. Block by block, house by house, neighbor by neighbor, I want to make the future impact of sea level rise impossible to ignore. I hope to engage my neighbors as problem-solvers who will learn and work together now to build a more resilient community into the future.”   — Xavier Cortada


A Community Climate Conversation

On Saturday, July 26th we held a Community Climate Conversation event at Fort Lauderdale's African-American Research Library and Cultural Center.

Neighbors, local government officials, and community leaders gathered during the afternoon, to focus on building resilience to the impacts of climate change, particularly flooding and extreme heat. Featuring renowned eco-artist Xavier Cortada, this interactive event explored how art, collaboration, and community action can strengthen our collective response to a changing climate.

Here are some photographs from the event:​​


About the Program

The Underwater: Broward is part of Cortada's larger Underwater campaign, which uses art and data to mobilize climate action. Funded by Broward County's Resilient Environment Department and Broward Cultural Division, this initiative engages residents through creative experiences grounded in science—specifically, elevation data related to sea level rise.

So far, over 1,500 students at 16 Broward County Public Schools have participated in these workshops.

Participating Schools

2025

  • New River Middle

  • Gulfstream Academy of Hallandale Beach

  • Miramar High

  • Coconut Creek High

  • Sawgrass Springs Middle

  • Cooper City High

2024

  • Beachside Montessori Village

  • Driftwood Middle School

  • Nova High School

  • Silver Lakes Middle School

  • Silver Trail Middle

  • South Broward High School

  • South Plantation High School

  • Westpine Middle School

  • Sheridan Technical High

  • Dillard High School​



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Xavier Cortada  is a nationally recognized environmental artist who uses participatory art to spotlight climate vulnerabilities and empower community action. In Broward, he's working to make sea level rise personal and visible—starting with the places people call home.
Connect with Xavier on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @xcortada
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​Comm​unity Engagement Beyond Schools 

The impact of The Underwater: Broward reaches beyond classrooms, with several public art installations and outreach events: 
• A ceramic tile elevation mural near the Broward County Government Center in downtown Fort Lauderdale 
• A Broward County Transit bus wrapped in sea level rise–themed artwork 
• An aluminum sculpture displaying site elevation at a county facility.
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In addition, Cortada led the first Community Climate Conversation, focusing on the unique challenges faced by Broward County, including flooding, heat, and sea level rise. Held at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center in Delevoe Park, the event invited residents to learn their home's elevation, connect with local officials, and get involved in resilience planning and climate advocacy. These elevation markers act as more than just signs-they spark curiosity, foster dialogue, and help communities better understand their relationship to a changing climate. ​


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