Focus the Nation
On January 31, the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve joined more than 1,000 participating
colleges, universities and organizations around the nation to host a national teach-in on climate
change. Entitled “Focus the Nation,” the event reached out to millions of students, citizens and
policymakers.
More than 100 people attended the full-day event at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center
which included films, activities, exhibits and presentations. A special keynote presentation featured
Florida native Don Miller, a climate change messenger trained by former Vice President Al Gore and the
Climate Project.
A luncheon seminar provided local officials and decision-makers the opportunity to facilitate a
discussion on climate change adaptation strategies for local communities. Reserve Director Gary Lytton
met with 18 community leaders representing local, state and federal government, private sector
interests and the media.
After watching the informative documentary film entitled “The Climate of Change” produced by ICLEI’s
Local Governments for Sustainability – an association of 700 local governments, representing over 300
million people in 68 countries, the group entered into discussions about potential actions to address
the impacts of climate change in Southwest Florida. By consensus, the group decided to continue meeting
at the Reserve to hold future leadership discussions on climate change focusing on the development of
an action plan to implement strategies for Naples and Collier County.
As the only state in the contiguous United States to be bordered by two water bodies, Florida is more
vulnerable to rising ocean levels and violent weather patterns associated with climate change than any
other state. Legislation proposed last week by Governor Charlie Crist and Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp
earmarked $200 million of Florida’s $2.2 billion 2008 Legislative budget to promote energy diversity
-- helping Florida to lead the way in reducing the effects of global climate change at local, state
and national levels.
