Representing our health, and the legacy we leave behind to younger generations.

MORE HEAT, LESS HEALTH

Our Florida Family Statue is now located at Mennello Museum of American Art ( 900 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803).

Please wear a mask and practice social distancing while you are there.

If you take a photo or a video with it, please tag @cleoinstitute.org and use #FLClimateCrisis.

Toward the end of the century, metropolitan areas such as Orlando, are expected to experience some of climate change’s most dire impacts, according to a study from the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program. With South Florida gearing up for sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion that will impact their drinking water, Orlando will see an influx of climate refugees. Orlando saw a glimpse of what that looks like in 2017 when people from Puerto Rico fled the devastated island after Hurricane Maria, looking to rebuild their life. Florida’s billion-dollar agricultural industry is also at risk. Shorter winters and hotter summers are impacting crop yields. Outdoor workers are also facing huge health threats by working under extreme heat conditions.

However, Orlando is not standing still, today, Orlando is ranked as one of the greenest cities in America by EcoWatch. The region was recently elected as an innovative training ground for autonomous vehicles. Orlando is a top city for urban farming (Redfin 2016) and is one of only five cities awarded the Smart City Council Readiness Challenge grant in 2017. Orlando is one of those cities that has a clear understanding of the climate crisis, the threats, and the opportunities it presents to ensure their citys’ resilience.