Let’s Tackle Climate Change
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IN THE NEW(S)
Keeping Florida, Florida
Environmental Defense Fund has released the first three short films in a four-part film series entitled “Keeping Florida, Florida” showcasing the urgency of Florida’s climate crisis and the opportunity state and federal leaders have to build long-term resilience for the state’s communities, economy and ecosystems. EDF is releasing the series in individual installments, each featuring different regions of the state and unique perspectives from local leaders discussing on-the-ground climate impacts and highlighting solutions that address these risks.
Jacksonville
As climate change threatens more communities across coasts and watersheds, Jacksonville, Florida, is providing a model for building climate resilience and equity for all populations.
With help from local equity-driven organizations, Jacksonville city leaders are implementing a number of natural infrastructure solutions that connect residents and improve water quality, create habitat, and reduce risk from climate impacts such as sea level rise and flooding.
Southwest Florida
Southwest Florida is on the front lines of climate change, threatening the region’s communities, economy and ecosystems.
The need for building long-term resilience against these threats to Florida’s communities, economy and environment have never been more pressing than they are now.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
Send a message to our leaders to support natural infrastructure that protects communities and infrastructure from flooding while keeping Florida, Florida.
Southeast Florida
Miami is ground zero for sea level rise, threatening the region’s communities, economy and ecosystems.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can employ natural and nature-based solutions, such as oyster reefs and mangroves, to push back against sea level rise and build long-term coastal resilience.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
Send a message to our leaders to support natural infrastructure that protects communities and infrastructure from flooding while keeping Florida, Florida.
Take Action
LEARN THE FACTS
Although Florida is on the front lines of climate change, natural and nature-based solutions provide a multitude of benefits including the protection we deserve, in addition to improving water quality, sequestering carbon, creating jobs and providing additional fish and wildlife habitats.
The need for building long-term resilience against these threats to Florida’s communities, economy and environment have never been more pressing than they are now.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
Send a message to our leaders to support natural infrastructure that protects communities and infrastructure from flooding while keeping Florida, Florida.
SUPPORT THE SERIES
We need you to stand with us to fight climate change, protect vulnerable wildlife and their habitats, and keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from toxic pollution and harmful household chemicals.
94% of Floridians Agree that climate change is real.
Florida is experiencing rainy day flooding events, increasingly severe hurricanes, and record heat waves. We can no longer afford to punt on solutions for the Sunshine State. Together, Florida’s public officials and industry partners, can become champions of climate change to save money, reduce climate risk and kickstart our COVID-battered economy.
Our Priorities
Solar
Florida uses almost eight times as much energy as it produces.
Electric Vehicles
75% of Floridians support committing to a statewide 100% clean energy plan by 2050.
Resilience
Every $1 invested in building resilient communities and infrastructure saves $6 in recovery costs.
Policy Objectives
SOLAR
As we face increasingly severe hurricanes and hotter temperatures solar energy can help make Florida more resilient and protect vulnerable residents. Strong policies and investments in solar energy benefiting Florida families should include:
• Safeguard net metering to ensure homeowners and businesses are fairly paid for energy they generate to offset startup costs.
• Allow systems servicing universities, school districts, local governments and businesses to benefit from net metering, become resilience hubs and save taxpayer dollars.
• Establish statewide solar/renewable energy targets.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Florida must lead on policies that help us meet EV market needs, accommodate the 100 million visitors, and advance EV adoption to protect our environment, public health and economy.
• Develop goals, objectives and targets to advance alternative fuels and EV adoption, including plans to electrify school buses and transit fleets.
• Coordinate charging infrastructure with Southeast regional stakeholders and states to expedite hurricane evacuation, freight shipping and other shared goals.
• Prevent burdensome fees that create a barrier to acquiring electric vehicles for consumers, businesses and local governments.
RESILIENCE
Florida must convene local and state agencies to develop coastal solutions that protect communities and businesses from hurricanes, flooding and heat caused by sea level rise and climate change.
• Empower the state’s Chief Resilience Officer (CRO) with implementation authority, technical and other resources to ensure integration and coordination of agencies on collective resilience efforts.
• Leverage the use of natural and nature-based features and account for the ability of coastal and riverine ecosystems ability to provide ecosystem benefits such as risk reduction, carbon sequestration, water quality and habitat.
In Case you missed it: the FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE halftime report
