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or withdrawn entirely by such rating agency, if in its judgment, circumstances warrant. A <br />downgrade change in or withdrawal of any rating may have an adverse effect on the market <br />price of the Series 2024 Bonds. <br />2. In the event of a default in the payment of principal of and interest on the <br />Series 2024 Bonds, the remedies of the owners of the Series 2024 Bonds are limited under <br />the Bond Resolution and may be further limited under Florida law. <br />3. There can be no assurance that legislation or other proposals will not be <br />introduced or enacted in the future that would, or might apply to, or have a material adverse <br />effect upon, the levy or collection of Ad Valorem Taxes or the County's finances. <br />4. The State of Florida is naturally susceptible to the effects of extreme weather <br />events and natural disasters including floods, droughts, and hurricanes, which could result <br />in negative economic impacts on communities including the County. Such effects can be <br />exacerbated by a longer-term shift in the climate over several decades (commonly referred <br />to as climate change, generally discussed in paragraph 5 below), including increasing <br />global temperatures and rising sea levels. The occurrence of such extreme weather events <br />could damage local infrastructure that provides essential services to the County. The <br />economic impacts resulting from such extreme weather events could include a loss of <br />revenue, interruption of service, and escalated recovery costs. <br />5. Numerous scientific studies on climate change show that, among other <br />effects on the global ecosystem, sea levels may rise, extreme temperatures may become <br />more common, and extreme weather events may become more frequent as a result of <br />increasing global temperatures attributable to atmospheric pollution. Sea levels may <br />continue to rise in the future due to the increasing temperature of the oceans causing <br />thermal expansion and growing ocean volume from glaciers and ice caps melting into the <br />ocean. Coastal areas like the County are at risk of substantial flood damage over time, <br />affecting private development and public infrastructure, including roads, utilities, <br />emergency services, schools, and parks. If this were to happen, the County could lose <br />considerable tax revenues and many residents, businesses, and governmental operations <br />along the waterfront could be displaced, and the County could be required to mitigate these <br />effects at a potentially material cost. The County is unable to predict whether sea level rise <br />or other impacts of climate change will occur, when they may occur, and if any such events <br />occur, whether they will have a material adverse effect on the business operations or <br />financial condition of the County. Additionally, climate change concerns have led, and <br />may continue to lead, to new laws and regulations at the federal and state levels (including <br />but not limited to air, water, hazardous substances and solid waste regulations) that could <br />have a material adverse effect on the operations and/or financial condition of the County. <br />6. Computer networks and systems used for data transmission and collection <br />are vital to the efficient operations of the County. County systems provide support to <br />departmental operations and constituent services by collecting and storing sensitive data, <br />29 <br />