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November 2024 Public Forum: The Impact of Climate Change on Our Community
November 12, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm EST
A Public Forum on the Impact of Climate Change on Our Community
Supported by the Water School at FGCU
Are You Concerned About the Urgent and Hazardous Nature of Climate Change? This forum was the first in a two-part series addressing Climate Change, Issues, Solutions, and Sustainability in greater Estero.
Greg Tolley, Dean, The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University, will moderated the Forum.
Panel Members:
- Mike Savarese, Professor, Department of Marine and Earth Sciences, FGCU.
- Matt DePaolis, Policy Director, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.
- Codty Pierce, The Calusa Waterkeeper.
- Jenny Morris, FGCU Graduate Student studying environmental issues.
You’ll Learn:
- What pressing climate change and warming issues threaten our environment and quality of life in greater Estero?
- How are increasing temperatures directly impacting greater Estero?
- What do climate change and warming mean in a municipal environment (transportation, energy efficiency, waste reduction, environmental sustainability growth policies?)?
- What climate change and warming threat-mitigating projects can be implemented?
- What examples of active participation are pivotal to driving the transformative changes we need?
- What is a “Reasoned Plan of Action” approach?
- What organization should lead the establishment of the approach in greater Estero?
- How can we establish local climate change and warming efforts related to water quality, municipal climate change and warming, environmental education, and community engagement?
- What are the potential sources of water pollution, climate change, and warming in greater Estero?
- Given the continued growth in urbanization, is the quantity of water in greater Estero available from our aquifers?
- What are the solutions if there is a potential water shortage?
Mike Savarese
Professor, Department of Marine and Earth Sciences, FGCU
Michael Savarese is a Distinguished Professor of Coastal Geology, Climate Resilience, & Preparation within the Department of Marine and Earth Sciences within Florida Gulf Coast University’s Water School. He has degrees in geoscience with background in coastal geology, paleontology, and sedimentology & stratigraphy. Throughout his years at FGCU, he has served as a liaison between scientists and managers/decision-makers.
Matt DePaolis
Policy Director, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
Matt has a master’s degree in marine biology and a Juris Doctorate with environmental and ocean and coastal law certificates from the University of Oregon. His strong science and environmental law background support leading the policy team and advancing policies needed to improve water quality and protect our natural resources.
Codty Pierce
The Calusa Waterkeeper
Codty’s early background in reptiles, wetland restoration, and native plant landscaping, coupled with a career as a professional fishing guide, has created a unique collage of his in-the-field experience across local uplands, wetlands, estuaries, and nearshore Gulf waters. As a Waterkeeper, Codty’s mission is to protect and restore the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to Coastal Waters and a passion for uniting and protecting this unique watershed.
Jenny Morris
Graduate Student Year: 2nd
Major: Environmental Science
Jenny Morris is a second-year master’s student in Environmental Science at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). She is actively engaged in research focused on climate change in Southwest Florida. Jenny’s work utilizes advanced technologies, such as drone-based LiDAR, to study areas impacted by coastal changes. In addition to her research, she has gained valuable experience through internships and professional roles in environmental conservation in The Bahamas. Notably, she served as a Science Officer at the Bahamas National Trust, where she conducted ecological fieldwork.