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Wednesday, May 9
9:00 - 11:00 AM 
Welcome
  • President Frank Brogan, Florida Atlantic University
  • President Judy Genshaft, University of South Florida
  • Executive Director, Betty Castor, Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions
General Session
  • Mohamed El-Ashry, Former Chief Executive Officer and Chair, Global Environmental Facility, "The Challenge of Responding to Climate Change"
  • Richard E. Benedick, U.S. Ambassador (ret.), "New Approaches to Climatic Change: Lessons from Ozone History"
  • Howard Hanson, Associate Vice President for Research, Florida Atlantic University "Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2007 Setting the Stage"
  • Thomas L. Crisman, Patel Professor of Environment, Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions, University of South Florida "Florida Climate Change"
11:00-11:15 AM 
Refreshment Break
11:15-12:15 PM 
Concurrent Sessions
Impacts & Responses
Science
Policy Issues
  • History: Susan Glickman, Natural Resources Defense Council
  • State Programs: Tom Peterson, Center for Climate Change
  • Policy Making: George A. Gonzalez, University of Miami
  • AB 32 - Global Warming Solutions Act: Nick Bollman, Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions, Florida Atlantic University

A brief history of climate change policy and an overview of current regional and national programs. This session will also cover the economic considerations that must be addressed when developing policy and the various policy options for addressing climate change. In covering these topics the session will focus on Florida-specific opportunities for developing effective climate change policies.

Moderator: Jim Murley, Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions at Florida Atlantic University

 Historical Perspective
  • The Interplay of Tectonics, Climate Change and Sea Level: Florida's Transformation over Geologic Time John Jaeger, University of Florida
  • Reconstructing Drought for Central Florida: The Last 2,000 Years, Philip van Beynen, University of South Florida

Moderator: Mark Brenner, University of Florida
12:15-1:30 PM 
Lunch (included) Keynote Speaker Alex Sink, Chief Financial Officer, State of Florida
1:30-2:30 PM 
Concurrent Sessions
Impacts & Responses
Science
Translating Science into Action
  • Infrastructure: David Major, Columbia University
  • Building Design Criteria for Climate Change: Ricardo Alvarez, Florida International University
  • Education: Glenn Thomas, Florida Atlantic University
  • Insurance: Alex Sink, Chief Financial Officer, State of Florida

Moving climate change science into action in society--infrastructure design, building standards, insurance, and education.

Moderator: David Major, Columbia University

 Historical Perspective continued<85>.
  • People and Climates Over 12,000 Years of Florida Prehistory, Nancy White, University of South Florida
  • Holocene Climate Change in Florida, Mark Brenner, University of Florida

Moderator: Mark Brenner, University of Florida
2:30-3:05 PM 
Refreshment Break
3:05-4:45 PM 
Concurrent Sessions
Impacts & Responses
Science
Planning for Climate Change
  • Water: Paul Trimble, South Florida Water Management District
  • Florida Reefs: Phil Kramer, The Nature Conservancy, Florida Reef Resilience Project
  • Climate and Public Health - Potential Impacts: Andy Reich, Florida Department of Health

Minimization and adaptation in Florida; limiting negative affects and adapting to climate change. How do we respond to areas of concerns and what kinds of decisions should be made that include climate change factors.

Moderator: Peter Merritt, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council

 Sensitive Ecosystems and Components
  • Climate Change, Coral Bleaching and Florida's Coral Reefs: The Canaries are Dying, C. Mark Eakin, NOAA
  • Intensification of Climate Change Impacts on Ecosystem Components of the Florida Keys, Billy Causey, NOAA
  • Climate Envelope Model to Predict Effects of Warming and Drying Scenarios on Florida Ecosystems, Dennis Hardin, Florida Division of Forestry
  • The Realities and Opportunities of Climate Change for Florida, Stephen Mulkey, University of Florida

Moderator: Lakhdar Boukerrou, Center for Environmental Studies
4:45-6:30 PM 
Welcome Reception - Exhibits and Posters (click here for poster presenters)
Thursday, May 10
7:15 - 8:15 AM 
Refreshments
8:15 - 8:45 AM 
General Session - Climate Change: Challenge and Response
Thomas Pravda, Advisor to Special Representative for Climate Change in the United Kingdom
9:00-10:15 AM 
Concurrent Sessions
Impacts & Responses
Science
Current Initiatives and Technologies
  • Energy: Florida Solar Energy Center, James Fenton
  • Agriculture: Florida Farm to Fuel Initiative, Jay Levenstein, FDACS
  • Biogas and Renewable Carbon: University of Florida, Ann C. Wilkie
  • Energy: Florida Power and Light, Rayburn L. Butts

A look at current initiatives and available and emerging technologies for reducing anthropogenic contributions to climate change. (reduction of emissions, technological change, alternative fuels).

Moderator: Barry Heimlich, Florida Climate Imperative

Evidence for Recent Climate Change
  • Lake Temperature Trends as Indicators for Climate Change in Florida, Danny Coenen, University of Florida
  • Simplistic predictions, confounding effects, and complex responses; climate tales from Archbold Biological Station, Hilary Swain, Archbold Biological Station
  • Sea Level Rise and Coastal Forest Decline Along Florida's Big Bend, Frances E. Putz, University of Florida

Moderator: Hilary Swain, Archbold Biological Station
10:15-10:35 AM 
Refreshment Break  
10:35-12:05 PM 
Concurrent Sessions
Impacts & Responses
Science
Partnerships for Success
  • EPA Climate Protection Partnerships, Kevin Rosseel, Environmental Protection Agency
  • A Regional Perspective, Richard Owen, Southwest Florida Water Management District
  • Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Efforts in Miami-Dade County, Nichole L. Hefty, Miami-Dade, Environmental Resources Management
  • City of Tampa, Mayor Pam Iorio

Which agencies and entities are the most appropriate to address impacts on the natural and human systems resulting from climate change and how do people/groups/agencies work together.

Moderator: Len Berry, Center for Environmental Studies(CES)

 Climate Variability: Initiating a Social Science Paradigm Shift
  • Introduction: Ana Puszkin-Chevlin, Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions at Florida Atlantic University
  • Climate Change as a Social Issue: Elizabeth L. Malone, Joint Global Change Research Institute
  • Explaining Local Commitment to Climate Change Policy in the United States: Samuel D. Brody, Texas A&M
  • Linking Planning to Sustainability: Joyce Levine, Florida Atlantic University

Moderator: Ana Puszkin-Chevlin, Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions at Florida Atlantic University

12:15-1:30 PM 
Lunch (included) Keynote Speaker Michael Sole, Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection
1:30 - 2:00 PM 

Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida: Steve Seibert, Executive Director

Overview and Invitation to Participate in Discussion Groups: Len Berry, CES
2:00 - 5:00 PM 

Be a part of the solution! Here's your opportunity to contribute to positive outcomes by participating in one of the three Discussion Groups. Results will be printed in the post-conference summary and will be provided to the Century Commission.

  • Environmental - Facilitated by Nick Aumen, Everglades National Park

    • The climate change discussion group focused on environmental issues will assess what was presented and learned during the preceding days of the conference, and will analyze and synthesize this information in a group setting. The goal is to identify, discuss, and refine a number of issues related to achieving environmental sustainability within the context of global climate change. Particular attention will be paid to the overlapping and sometimes competing issues of Florida's rapid population growth, sufficient quantity and quality of drinking water, food and energy needs, and efforts to conserve, protect, and restore natural lands and waters. Click here for topics


  • Economic - Facilitated by Chris Walker, The Climate Group

    • A focused discussion on the economic dimensions of climate change for the state of Florida. What are the financial threats and opportunities facing the State, its ability to grow and its key industries (e.g. agricultural, tourism, real estate) from a climate changed future? The goal is to identify, discuss, and refine the activities that make the most economic sense for the State to simultaneously mitigate climate risk while adapting to a climate changed environment. Click here for topics


  • Social - Facilitated by: Art Evans, Florida Atlantic University

    • A discussion on the anticipated social effects of climate change within the state of Florida is the purpose this workshop. Climate change may significantly impact critical institutions such as health, housing, disaster preparedness and transportation. Complicating this picture is the fact that the social effects of climate change will not be democratic because some groups will inevitably fare better than others. Currently, Florida's population is extremely diversified both ethnically and spatially. Social issues related to climate change will need to be dealt with in the context of this diverse population with consideration for social class, race, ethnicity, gender and age. As Florida experiences climate change appreciably, it will be necessary to have in place adaptive responses to deal with the social changes that will inevitably follow in its wake. Click here for topics

 

  

Friday, May 11
8:15 - 9:15 AM 
Reports on Discussion Groups Outcomes (3 facilitators)
9:15-10:15 AM 
Century Commission Overview; Discussion and Recommendations
10:15-10:30 AM 
Refreshment Break  
10:30-12:00 PM 
Building Climate Change into Florida<92>s Future

Senator Michael S. Bennett, Florida Senate District 21
Governor Charlie Crist, Florida (invited)

 

For more information contact:
Doreen DiCarlo
Center for Environmental Studies
Phone: 561-799-8553 | Fax: 561-626-1404 | E-mail: ddicarlo@ces.fau.edu