In the past year, initiatives to address climate change have spread throughout the State of Florida at an unprecedented rate. Along with leadership at the state level, many local governments throughout Florida have either begun or continued to deepen their commitment to taking powerful action on this complex issue.

On March 27th, 2008, in recognition of this growing momentum, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, in partnership with Leon County, hosted a meeting of Florida local governments interested in advancing local climate protection and energy policy. Over 40 leaders from throughout Florida --representing state, county and municipal governments-- gathered in Tallahassee to discuss what is being done, and what more needs to be done, to advance issues of climate, energy, and sustainability in Florida. Local officials reported on the work being done in their communities –from drafting greenhouse gas emissions inventories and developing climate and sustainability plans; to implementing energy efficiency, renewable energy and other climate protection projects and policies; and to studying the anticipated climate change impacts that will need to be addressed in the coming years. There were also presentations from state leaders on the governor’s climate related Executive Orders (07-126, 07-127, and 07-128), on the work being done by the Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change, on pending state legislation, and on the work being done by the CFO’s office to assess the financial impacts of climate change in the State of Florida. The meeting advanced the formation of a network of Florida local governments working towards climate protection, and strengthened ties between state and local climate action.

Please see below for a list of event documents:

• Presentation: Florida and Climate Change: The Costs of Inaction, Jerry Karnas, Florida Climate Project Director, Environmental Defense
• Presentation: ICLEI Tools and Resources, Wesley Look, Program Associate, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability
• Presentation: ENERGY STAR Tools and Resources for Local Governments, Robert Van Der Like, Associate, The Cadmus Group
• Presentation: Miami-Dade County’s Climate Change Adaptation Efforts, Nichole Hefty, Climate Change Program Coordinator, Miami-Dade County, FL
• Presentation: Gainesville’s Efforts in Addressing Climate Change, Pegeen Hanrahan, Honorable Mayor, City of Gainesville, FL
• Presentation: Sustainability Planning in Sarasota County, Lee Hayes Byron, Sarasota County, FL
• Presentation: Orange to Green, Hamp Pridgen, Orange County, FL
• Presentation: Hillsborough County Energy Management Program, Randy Klindworth, Hillsborough County, FL
• Notes: Afternoon Discussion -- Noting Successes, Facing Obstacles, and Building the Network of Florida Local Governments Addressing Climate & Energy
• Event Agenda
• Event Flyer

 

Coming Events:

Florida local governments will have another opportunity to gather together to share ideas and best practices for development and implementation of climate action plans at one of two half-day workshops that will be offered this summer. Representatives of local governments interested in continuing to build the growing momentum around local climate action in Florida are encouraged to attend!

 

First event:
Miami
June 24, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
In conjunction with the Florida Association of Counties Annual Meeting

Second event:
Tampa
August 14, 8:30am - 12:30pm
In conjunction with the Florida League of Cities/League of Mayors' Annual Meeting

For more information see flyer or contact

Bruce Ryan
The Trust for Public Land
850.222.7911 ext. 19
bruce.ryan@tpl.org