It's everyone's responsibility to
do something to address climate change.
According to Growing Climate Solutions: Path to Positive Southwest Florida,
Southwest Florida is experiencing the effects of a changing climate
Stronger
Hurricanes
Persistent harmful
algae blooms
More frequent
flooding
Record-breaking
daily temperatures
Southwest Florida’s year-round sunshine and beautiful temperatures are why we love where we live. But they also make it challenging to see the impacts of climate change that are underway – until something drastic happens.
Stronger hurricanes, persistent harmful algae blooms, more frequent flooding and record-breaking daily temperatures are some of the noticeable effects of climate change. However, these events – along with less visible ones like gradual sea level rise and saltwater intrusion – have indirect impacts on our natural and built systems, economy and health in Southwest Florida. Ignored, our changing climate will threaten the quality of life we cherish. But by focusing on solutions to our region’s carbon emissions and ways to adapt to changing conditions, we can create opportunities and resilient communities.
Growing Climate Solutions: Path to Positive Southwest Florida is a regional climate initiative aimed at developing a network of local organizations, leaders and citizens who will work to build climate awareness, protect our natural assets and empower Southwest Florida residents, businesses and civic institutions to support and engage on climate solutions that advance a healthy, prosperous and resilient community.
Our mission
Growing Climate Solutions: Path to Positive Southwest Florida’s network of local organizations, leaders and citizens is being formed to support the protection of our natural environment, the prosperity and health of our community, and the education and empowerment of all community members to engage and support solutions in the face of a changing climate and its impacts in Southwest Florida.
our founding partners
Also generously supported by the Kapnick Family Foundation
OUR PRINCIPLES:
Build Climate awareness using proven communication, education, and engagement strategies
Protect our natural assets using strategies rooted in an understanding of how they provide resilience.
Engage and empower community leaders to inspire, guide, and support decisions and local actions that will make our region resilient.
Ensure a prosperous and healthy community by supporting inclusive decision making and equitable solutions that create resilience
Increase the visibility of local climate action by celebrating successes and becoming a national role model
LATEST NEWS
Go Green, Save Green with Electric Vehicles
The transportation sector accounts for about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, so transitioning from traditional, gas-fueled vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) will play a key role
Participate in Important Resilience Research!
The University of South Florida and affiliated researchers, including faculty at FGCU, are studying household responses to hurricane information and evacuation decisions, particularly regarding Hurricane Ian. The team is collecting
New Solar Co-op: Join SWFL SUN!
Nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) announced the launch of the SWFL 2023 Solar Co-op on January 17 during the SWFL Climate & Community Summit. The Co-op is designed to
HELP US GET ON A “PATH TO POSITIVE” FUTURE!
HOW DO WE ENGAGE?
WE BELIEVE THAT EDUCATION EMPOWERS ACTION
Growing Climate Solutions seeks to educate Southwest Floridians about how and why our climate is changing, as well as the broad range of impacts our community will experience in the coming decades. This knowledge is fundamental to motivating collective action now.
Some climate solutions will require public sector commitment and investment. Growing Climate Solutions knows that civic leaders will move forward on these actions when stakeholders voice their support for resilience measures. By educating our citizens, our democracy works better.
Recent surveys have shown that our residents believe climate change will impact them, but many are unsure about how to help. So, we educate residents, businesses, institutions and local governments on the type of actions they can take to be good stewards of our environment, to prepare for and to mitigate climate impacts.
As organizations plan and implement sustainability projects and programs, Growing Climate Solutions can offer guidance and recognition for these efforts, turning organizations into community role models for a “path to positive” future.
JOIN US
Everyone can do something to address climate challenges. Whether you are a leader of a business, faith or community organization, or you are simply a concerned citizen, there are steps you can take to get involved and advance climate awareness and action in Southwest Florida.
We need you on our team!
DOWNLOAD OUR BROCHURE
Download a sharable resource about Growing Climate Solutions’ efforts and impact in Southwest Florida – and share us with a friend