April is typically a busy month for sustainability and climate initiatives and professionals, with Earth Day celebrated on April 22nd, the Spring King Tides occurring between April 26-29, and the pervading themes of spring and renewal stemming from Easter and blooming foliage. Growing Climate Solutions is excited to see the fruits of several initiatives started in the past months. Growing Climate Solutions is the southwest partner for the Volo Foundation’s Florida Climate Week, held virtually between April 19-24. Our April SWFL Climate Compass speaker presentation will be featured as part of the Climate Week programming, and we will be hosting a SWFL Climate Ambassador Training on Tuesday of that week as well.
SWFL Climate Compass Speaker in collaboration with Florida Climate Week
APRIL 20th 10:00 am
In partnership with ecoAmerica, we are offering a NEW Climate Ambassador Program: Harnessing the Power of Social Media focusing on the use of social media and electronic communications to advance climate awareness and engage policymakers. It includes all the information of ecoAmerica’s climate ambassador training, with a new twist on electronic communication rather than public speaking!
Professor Benjamin Keys, Rowan Family Foundation Associate Professor of Real Estate at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania
You won't want to miss the 10th Annual American Climate Leadership Summit! Climate leaders are virtually coming together on April 27-29, 2021 to build support for equitable climate solutions. Register Now!
Living Greener
Driving Climate Solutions: Electric Vehicle Propulsion
by Ed Maxwell, Ph.D. and
Bridget Washburn
“It’s quiet, convenient, and my kids love it! After a couple of years of just plugging my car into the wall it takes a minute to remember where the nearest gas station is,” laughs Jocelyn Berner, a Tesla-owning Naples resident.
The benefits of electric vehicle (EV) ownership extend beyond the ease of “fueling up” by simply plugging in. By design, EVs produce just a fraction of the amount of harmful carbon dioxide gas released by gasoline-powered vehicles. Carbon dioxide is one type of polluting greenhouse gas that accumulates in Earth’s atmosphere, trapping heat and triggering changes to the climate that impact the quality of life in Southwest Florida and beyond.
COVID resulted in approximately 30% of the workforce working from home on a daily basis, and another 25% of workers telecommuting at least occasionally. Most workers don’t miss the time spent in car traffic, but as they return to offices, perhaps their commutes can be better – less stressful and impactful on the environment. Commute Connector swflroads.comis a program of the Florida Department of Transportation that encourages the use of alternative transportation options to decrease traffic congestion, decrease harmful emissions, improve air quality, and strengthen our region's quality of life.
With an average of 270 sunny days, Southwest Florida lives up to the State’s reputation as “the Sunshine State”. An endless supply of solar power flows through our blue skies, and forward-thinking businesses and homeowners are embracing this clean, renewable, energy - a move essential to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Conservancy of Southwest Florida, one of Growing Climate Solutions Founding Partners, is a leading example. It’s installing a total of 537 solar panels on the roofs of four of its campus buildings, as part of its commitment to sustainability and addressing the drivers of climate change. “Having an extensive capacity to generate electricity on the campus aligns with our environmental goals to use sustainable practices, as well as to educate our members and the public about the benefits of solar energy,” said Rob Moher, president, and CEO of the Conservancy. Using and showcasing solar power will allow visitors to see and learn about real-world application of renewable energy and hopefully inspire others to implement solar to reduce their environmental impact. Read More( 4.0 min read)
We have added a RESOURCE page to our website. It features links to videos of our presentations, like the SWFL Climate Compass Series, and other educational resources.
We've picked some recent articles you should consider reading. One illustrates the rising corporate commitment on climate and one that sets the current climate shift in the context of earth's geological history.
