Climate & Community Summit brings together 250 for education, solutions
The Floridant/10218214

NAPLES, Fla. - Floridant -- Hosted by SWFL Climate & Community Initiative and powered by Hertz, the inaugural Climate & Community Summit was held on Jan. 17 at Arthrex Conference Center. The summit brought together more than 250 attendees, including national and regional experts, environmental innovators, elected officials and Southwest Florida residents, and civic and business leaders to address solutions that protect Southwest Florida from adverse impacts to our land, water and lifestyle as a result of our changing climate.

A highlight of the event was the table-top discussions. The interactive exercise was professionally facilitated and allowed attendees to discuss and prioritize strategies for combating climate challenges and protecting our paradise. The audience then voted on the top solutions, which included adopting legislation and policy for a statewide commitment to reach net zero GHG emission by 2050 or sooner; providing incentives to support agricultural activities that can help mitigate climate change impacts, including water farming and carbon sequestration; implementing nature-based solutions to improve shoreline protection; and incentivizing businesses to install EV charging stations and solar arrays.

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"In the weeks ahead, the Summit leaders will review and synthesize the notes of our table-top discussions and develop a report that can serve as a platform for advancing positive climate actions in our neighborhoods, towns and cities," said Rob Moher, president and CEO of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. "We hope that attendees will serve as champions of these strategies, and by creating a network of engaged stakeholders, we can get them implemented."

The SWFL Climate & Community Summit was sponsored by Hertz with support from The Water School at FGCU, Collier Community Foundation, Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Collaboratory, The Everglades Foundation, Growing Climate Solutions, Priority Marketing, WGCU, Naples Daily News and The News-Press.

To learn more, visit SWFLclimate.org.

About SWFL Climate & Community Initiative
The SWFL Climate & Community Initiative is a region-wide movement to bring education about our changing climate and realistic solutions to the people of Southwest Florida. With a focus on air, land and sea, the goal is to inform the Southwest Florida community of the unique challenges the region is facing, as well as the steps each individual and the community collectively can take to make a real difference. For more information, visit SWFLclimate.org.