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If there is one takeaway from today’s conversation about climate change, it is the absence of denial about the scope of the challenge. COP26 was held last November and heads of state made a commitment to keeping the Paris Agreement’s temperature goals alive. Private sector leaders are also committing trillions of dollars’ worth of climate finance initiatives in pursuit of net zero emissions. This is encouraging progress but not enough.
Most people believe that climate change is real. They also believe that action to reduce our environmental impact is possible when people work together. But what’s also clear is that we’re not providing the public with enough opportunities to move beyond hand-wringing and include them in identifying solutions. We need more environments that encourage people to explore possibility, feel hopeful, and take action.
That’s why the Aspen Institute — in partnership with Mayors Dan Gelber, Daniella Levine-Cava and Francis Suarez — is hosting Aspen Ideas: Climate, a major new public event focused on solutions to the climate crisis, in Miami Beach from May 9-12. With the support of Miami-based institutions including the Knight Foundation, Related Group and the Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation, we’re teaming up to put together an annual convening that will, among other areas, address the implications of rising temperatures and sea levels, which are already being felt by this community and so many others around the world.
There’s no doubt that South Florida is facing the direct impacts of climate change. But it’s not alone. New York City has been subject to historic flooding. The Southwest is currently in flames. Alaska is thawing at a alarming rate. We understand the implications of rising temperatures and believe that globally we can not afford to go 1.5 degrees over pre-industrial levels by 2100. If we don’t act, many places will be underwater or permanently changed — and with that will be the catastrophic loss of ecosystems, economies and, yes, human lives.
Aspen Ideas: Climate will be a gathering of voices from all areas of science, policymaking and technology. The event will spotlight coastal communities, innovations in clean power generation, “climate-smart” economies, and ways to harness our agricultural and food systems, forests and the ocean to fight climate change. South Florida has a lot to offer in all these areas as it is a growing hub of climate innovation and a showcase for adaptation. It’s a region the country and the world can look to with hope.
Participants reflect the diversity and experience needed to address a problem like climate change. We’ll hear from leading policymakers like Speaker Nancy Pelosi, governors from across the U.S., and such local leaders as New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. Some of the most forward-thinking environmental organisations, including Everglades National Park Superintendent Pedro Ramos, will be present.
Sustainable Ocean Alliance Founder Daniela Fernandez. And of course, we’re excited to welcome TODAY weather anchor Al Roker to share his passion for protecting our planet.
John Doerr, a venture capitalist, will share his views on climate. He just announced $1.1 billion to establish a Climate School at Stanford University. This is perhaps the largest gift to a university in its history. Eric Schmidt, a well-known technologist and NBA commissioner Adam Silver will discuss the role that money, tech and business play in mobilizing for climate change. Innovative entrepreneurs will present their projects and pitch their ideas. Shohei Shigematsu, an architect who has made a significant contribution to climate-resilient sustainable design, will be presenting his vision. Importantly, we’re providing a space for our future climate leaders — 100 young adults from across the country — to connect, learn and mobilize to drive change.
Aspen Ideas is based on three fundamental assumptions: Climate. The first is that local leadership is necessary — but not sufficient. Because of the scale of this crisis, it is necessary to have global, regional and national strategies that work in concert. The second is the need for every sector of society to address this crisis. The third is that hope is critical — a sentiment captured in the title of a song composed for the event by Emilio Estefan: “We’ve Still Got Time.”
If there’s one danger in the absence of denial and in the urgency we now hear and increasingly witness all around us, it’s that we could run the risk of feeling overwhelmed, cynical or despondent about our ability to protect the planet. But that’s exactly the wrong message — and why we need a climate event that energizes, uplifts and focuses us on what we can do. South Florida has many solutions available to the world.
Kitty Boone, vice president of public programming at the Aspen Institute, is also the executive director of Aspen Ideas Festival. This article is part of the Invading Sea collaborative, which focuses on the dangers posed by the warming environment.
