December 13, 2012

Climate Action Plans - Here and Now


"Think globally, act locally" is a slogan that aptly describes the Southeast Florida Climate Leadership Summit. At the event, local government officials from four counties gathered to discuss how to mitigate and adapt to climate change's impacts.

Yep, you heard that correctly: government officials in the United States — in a "purple" state, no less — came together in a bipartisan manner to address climate change mitigation and adaptation.

These public officials aren't debating the facts of climate change. They see current effects and understand that in the face of streets flooding more regularly and drinking water supplies threatened - what political party you support is irrelevant. 

Significantly, South Florida's officials understand that they must also address the causes of climate change. They've included mitigation strategies as part of the action plan, including transitioning to cleaner energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through adoption of forward-thinking policies. A lot of work remains to implement the action plan, but there is no disagreement on the need to act now.

One climate conference delegate asked these questions.

If not us, then who?
If not now, then when?
If not here, then where? 

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