Climate Smart Florida Communities
The path to sustainable communities must include resilience to climate change and increase capacity to adapt to climate impacts. Climate change is felt at the local level.
The “Handbook for Municipal Action on Climate Change” from the University of Florida, IFAS Extension provides a step by step process to increase climate resiliency and offers tools for adoption at the local government level to implement best practices.
Implementation has helped communities prioritize capital improvements, future investments and reduce risk for vulnerable areas.
By enacting policies and plans to minimize risk and increase resiliency, local governments demonstrate leadership. Climate resilient strategies make communities better prepared for all threats such as extreme weather, heat and rising sea levels. Energy efficiency and fuel-saving policies also reduce the operating costs of buildings and fleets, creating financial savings for the local government and taxpayers.
With this handbook, local governments have a resource to increase climate literacy, enact policies and ultimately be better prepared to deal with a changing climate.
If you would like help working through the handbook in your community contact Alicia Betancourt abb@ufl.edu , Holly Abeels habeels@ufl.edu or Ashley Smyth ashley.smyth@ufl.edu for support.
A handy guide to take climate resilient step for community staff.
Climate change planning guides, legal help and resources for communities around the state.
This virtual program was brought to you by Climate Smart Florida Work Action Group as part of UF/IFAS Extension and Florida Sea Grant.
Holly Abeels | Extension Agent II, Florida Sea Grant Faculty - Brevard County | habeels@ufl.edu
Alicia Betancourt | Extension Agent III, Community Development Faculty / County Director - Monroe County | abb@ufl.edu
Dr. Ashley Smyth | Assistant Professor, Soil and Water Sciences Department, Tropical Research and Education Center | ashley.smyth@ufl.edu