Florida is on the front lines in the struggle to adapt to the changing climate, fighting battles at all levels of government to balance risks to life and property with the rising costs of implementing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. Involvement with CAC will benefit any level of government with CAC’s continuously updated assessment of relevant research and the opportunity for interaction with the scientific and business communities. Mitigating and adapting to Florida’s climate-related risks will be a costly endeavor, affecting all levels of government. However, with risks come opportunities – in this case opportunities for Florida businesses to create new products and services to address the growing market for climate adaptation solutions. The iconic example is Florida’s PGT Innovations Inc., which developed hugely successful impact-resistant window and door products in response to widespread hurricane damage from wind-borne debris. Government encouragement of business development targeted at the new climate economy could pay lasting dividends.
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The Challenge for State and Local Governments
What is the Climate Economy?
Broadly speaking, the climate economy refers to the relationship between actions which can strengthen economic performance and those which reduce the risks resulting from climate change. At global and national scales, considerable emphasis is on the concept of a low carbon economy – shifts in energy consumption and production that limit greenhouse gas emissions, thus limiting future climate warming. Florida’s regional and local climate economies have a more immediate focus on adaptation and mitigation efforts.
By engaging the Florida business community, together with the scientific community and the public sector, CAC creates a launch pad for new products and services for cost-effective solutions to Florida climate issues.
Support the Climate Adaptation Center
CAC is an independent, non-profit organization focused on the unique and evolving challenges arising from Florida’s changing climate. Your support helps CAC explore the intersection of scientific research, business innovation and government resources to help communities recognize and adapt to the changing climate, and to help businesses thrive in the climate economy. We promise to put your contribution to immediate, effective use.