The Climate Leadership Summit is a major regional event hosted by the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact to share knowledge, showcase climate action, engage leadership across sectors, and mobilize the collaboration needed to tackle this significant challenge at scale. 

On October 13, the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact convened a half-day virtual summit to hear from multi-disciplinary and innovative thinkers and leaders from the business, government, academic, and nonprofit communities to exchange dialogue and ideas on expanding the region’s capacity to respond to climate challenges and build climate resilience. The event focused on engaging and building relationships with various stakeholders, and strengthening the coordination needed for this important, long-term work. 

This year’s Summit came at a critical time, as addressing climate change and building climate resilience is more relevant than ever in the context of COVID-19, racial justice protests, and economic uncertainty. Within all these contexts, communities of color and low-income communities are disproportionately impacted, and climate change serves as a threat multiplier. While these compounding crises are layered and immediate, we must also remain steadfast in advancing climate resilience over the long term. Building community resilience for all requires a holistic approach to these compounding crises, and even stronger connections through partnerships and coordinated collaboration.

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Event Goals

• Showcase Compact initiatives over the last year and demonstrate successful work achieved to build climate resilience.
• Ensure climate resilience remains a priority and salient issue among elected officials and other key stakeholders.
• Reinforce the role and importance of the Compact in advancing a coordinated approach to achieving equitable climate solutions.  

Event Agenda and Recordings

Opening Remarks
Steve Adams, Director of Urban Resilience, Institute for Sustainable Communities (Watch video here)

Reflecting on this Moment: Building Multiple Dimensions of Resilience
Dr. Marshall Shepherd, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Geography and
Atmospheric Sciences, University of Georgia
Interviewed by: John Morales, Chief Meteorologist, NBC6 (Watch video here)

Voices of Leadership: Lessons in Resilient Leadership During a Year of Crisis
Verdenia Baker, County Administrator, Palm Beach County and
Bertha Henry, County Administrator, Broward County
Moderated by: Jon Van Arnam, Deputy County Administrator, Palm Beach County (Watch video here)

Compact Partners In Action: Equitable Resilience in Miami-Dade County
Karina Castillo, Resilience Coordinator for Community Engagement, Miami-Dade County (Watch video here)

Rising to Solve Interconnected Challenges: Climate Change, Health Disparities, and Equity
Dr. Cheryl Holder, MD, Interim Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Community Initiatives, and Associate Professor, Florida International University
Interviewed by: Yoca Arditi-Rocha, Executive Director, CLEO Institute (Watch video here)

Compact Partners in Action: Zero to Sixty in Two Years: Palm Beach County Initiatives on Electric Vehicle
Dr. Jake Leech, Ph.D., Analyst, Palm Beach County (Watch video here)

Voices of Leadership: Partnerships and Lessons Learned in Preparing for and Managing Cross-Boundary Risks
Roman Gastesi, County Administrator, Monroe County
In conversation with Jack Osterholt, Deputy Mayor, Miami-Dade County (Watch video here)

Compact Partners in Action: Rising Seas, Raising Roads
Rhonda Haag, Chief Resilience Officer, Monroe County (Watch video here)

Business Case for Resilience: Presentation of Findings
Greg West, CEO, ZOM Living
Annie deBoer, US Sustainable Economics Practice, AECOM
Aaron McGregor, US Sustainable Economics Practice, AECOM (Watch video here)

Business Case for Resilience: What Does this Mean for Our Region?
Dr. Jaap Donath, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Research & Strategic Planning,
Miami-Dade Beacon Council
Jacqueline Gonzalez Touzet, Founding Principal, Touzet Studio
Moderated by: Alex Harris, Reporter, Miami Herald (Watch video here)

Compact Partners in Action: Science, Partnerships, and the Urgency of Action
Dr. Jennifer Jurado, Ph.D., Deputy Director and Chief Resilience Officer, Environment (Watch video here)

Compact Partners in Action: State of Florida’s Efforts
Noah Valenstein, Secretary, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Watch video here)

The Power of Community: Translating Local Vision to Holistic Climate Solutions
The Honorable Clarence Anthony, CEO and Executive Director, National League of Cities
In conversation with Valholly Frank, Youth Climate Activist, Seminole Tribe of Florida (Watch video here)

Closing Remarks
Steve Adams, Director of Urban Resilience, Institute for Sustainable Communities (Watch video here)