Coordination between science and policies is key to climate action.
Orlando, FL, March 8, 2023 – The 5th Annual Climate Correction™ Conference was held this Friday in Orlando, FL, bringing together experts, activists, business leaders and policymakers to discuss the pressing issue of climate change and the need for urgent action.
The event was attended by more than 200 participants from around the country, who heard from a diverse group of speakers, including Alex Nichols-Vinueza from World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Dawn Shirreffs, Florida Director, Environmental Defense Fund, Betilde Muñoz-Pogossian of the Organization of American States, Ramón Cruz, President of Sierra Club, Luis Tineo from Climate Change Group, World Bank, Lucienne Pears from Babcock Ranch, and Ashley Van Stone, Sustainability Manager of City of Orlando, among others.
Shirreffs spoke about the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which will support states in the commitment to achieve clean energy, while creating jobs and investing in their communities. She emphasized that the IRA will raise the bar on climate ambition for state and local governments, and it builds on the bipartisan infrastructure law towards Paris Agreement goals.
Luis Tineo of the World Bank presented data that demonstrated the need for greater political will to address climate change and highlights the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as a step in the right direction.
Betilde Muñoz-Pogossian, Director of the Department of Social Inclusion of the Organization of American States (OAS), highlighted the need to create international instruments to help “climate migrants”, which is the population movements associated with climate change. Muñoz-Pogossian says “although there are efforts at the national level in some countries such as Peru and Honduras, a common language to design public policies that can help and provide protection is needed”.
Lucienne Pears and Jennifer Languell presented on behalf of Babcock Ranch, the sustainable community that withstood the incredible force of hurricane Ian’s eye without losing power, or even Wi-Fi. They explained the community was built with sustainability in mind, featuring a hardened electricity grid, 700,000 solar panels with hardened battery packs, and water-retaining ponds that create an ambience and direct water away from homes and streets, all situated 30 feet above sea level.
We learned that for the first time in history outfitting a home with solar can be done without the prohibitive upfront cost. Several options for financing solar were presented by Clean Energy Solutions on the Rise featuring Susan Glickman (FL Clinicians for Climate Action), Steve Rutherford (Tampa Bay Solar), and Ann Vanek-Dasovich (Solar and Energy Loan Fund).
VoLo Foundation co-founder, Thais Lopez Vogel highlighted the fact that “climate change affects us all at every level, health, economy, migration, and more. We are calling for a collaborative effort to address the crisis” and emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent irreversible damage.
The conference also highlighted the historic nature of the Inflation Reduction Act, which marks the first time in US history that a massive investment is made in the fight against climate change.
VoLo Foundation also commissioned TIMEPieces artist Allison Dayka to paint a mural in downtown Orlando that shall serve as a continuous reminder of the commitment all citizens must make regarding climate change and taking care of the planet.
The conference organizers are urging individuals who serve as representatives to pledge to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, by taking advantage of the plentiful renewable resources the State of Florida affords its residents.
