Miami was already feeling the effects of sea-level rise which she witnessed first-hand.
"On any king tide ... there were streets in Miami where people were walking around knee deep in water.
"It has been occurring for about five years and the city of Miami has identified it needs to invest $400 million in pumps to hold the water at bay."
Data also showed an increase of temperature across the planet, she said, with 100 days a year warmer than the former average.
"That is going to have some significant implications for New Zealand as we are already being warned that it is going to be a hot, dry summer. When it kicks in that will be relevant for farmers in New Zealand as it is a huge part of our economy."
Water availability was also an issue. However, Tauranga had a good water supply.
Now it was about taking the knowledge she had learned and putting good polices in place and talking to council's elected members, she said.
Tauranga City Council was already a signatory to the local governments New Zealand Climate Change declaration in advance of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris in December.
"That is encouraging central government to negotiate well at Paris and it has outlined some responsibilities that we are willing to take."
In July, Climate Change Issues Minister Tim Groser said it would commit to a new, more ambitious climate change target at the Paris conference. "This target is to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030," Mr Groser said. "This is a significant increase on our current target of 5 per cent below 1990 emission levels by 2020."
But he said almost 80 per cent of electricity was renewable and 50 per cent of emissions came from producing food so there were fewer opportunities for "New Zealand to reduce its emissions right now".
"However, I'm optimistic about the future - our investment in agricultural research is beginning to bear fruit ... I think in five to 10 years we'll be in a good position to reduce our emissions in both agriculture and transport."
Michelle Elborn will speak about her experience at the Climate Reality Project at the Down to Earth Expo which is being held on November 28 and November 29 at the ASB Arena.
Council launches project to save energy
Tauranga City Council has launched an energy project which will include developing a policy and action plan to reduce its own energy use.
Sustainability adviser Michelle Elborn said the council's three biggest energy spends were on services supplied to the city, including water supply, waste water and street lighting.
Some energy-saving initiatives, including installing new LED technology to street lights, had already begun.
"LED is proven technology. About 18 months ago, council replaced standard lighting with LED in two of our CBD parking buildings and that reduced our energy consumption by around 70 per cent. When it comes to our water services a big cost is around the pumping of water around the city, so the efficiency of pumps is an important consideration."
Council had explored the use of a solar PV system at the Mount Beachside Holiday Park.
Statistics showed New Zealand could reduce energy consumption by being more conscious of it.
"Everybody can participate and there are education opportunities and programmes to help people understand how to use energy better."
Michelle Elborn will speak about her experience at the Climate Reality Project at the Down to Earth Expo which is being held on November 28 and November 29 at the ASB Arena.
