Coastal Conservation

Introducing Audubon’s First Class of Florida Climate Entrepreneurs

Innovators helping Florida meet the challenge of climate change while creating jobs in the new climate economy.

Audubon Florida is debuting its first class of Florida Climate Entrepreneurs: Private sector innovators who are in the business of helping Florida meet the challenges of climate change while creating jobs in Florida’s emerging Climate Economy. Few places are as vulnerable as Florida to the challenges of climate change. From sustainable communities to artificial reef installations, to renewable energy generation and next gen transmission tech, harnessing private sector innovation to address climate change in Florida makes smart economic sense. The private sector has a crucial role to play in helping us blunt the worst effects of climate change and weather those that remain. How we respond to climate change will determine our state’s future prosperity and quality of life; these entrepreneurs are mainstreaming Florida’s climate economy and the future careers it will support.

New Profiles Released

This inaugural class of eight Florida Climate Entrepreneurs spans the state and sectors, representing the breadth and scale of the opportunity for private sector innovation. They include:

Larry Beggs, President of Reef Innovations; Protecting our land and water through artificial reefs.

Thomas J. Brown, CEO of Living Shoreline Solutions, Inc.; Creating productive and resilient coastal systems.

Husein Cumber, Chief Strategy Officer of Florida East Coast Industries (FECI); Spearheading the future of high speed rail in Florida.

Syd Kitson, Chairman and CEO of Kitson and Partners; Pioneering sustainable community development.

Rick Meeker, President of NHU Energy; Accelerating the transition to clean energy.

Dr. Sastry Pamidi, Chair and Professor, FAMU-FSU Engineering; Leading the way in innovative energy technologies.

Edwin Perkins, President of Moss Solar; Proving sun is Florida’s greatest resource.

Alex Preisser, President of Mitigation Marketing; Restoring Florida’s most precious lands through mitigation banking.

In-depth profiles showcasing these thought leaders may be found here.

A Virtual Conversation with the Entrepreneurs

Join Audubon Florida for a virtual conversation with some of these innovators about the opportunities for entrepreneurs and job seekers to build careers and businesses in this new climate economy.

Tuesday, July 26, at 6 p.m.

To register for this free event, click here.

Subsequent regional Climate Entrepreneur networking events will be scheduled in 2022-23. To receive updates on climate issues in Florida and to receive notice of regional networking events as they are scheduled, sign up here.

Nominate Climate Entrepreneurs in Your Community!

While these may be the first eight Florida Climate Entrepreneurs featured, they won’t be the last! Are you or an entrepreneur you know helping Florida meet the challenge of climate change with your business? Nominate your community’s climate entrepreneurs to be considered for feature in subsequent cohorts and at regional networking events!

About Audubon Florida

Audubon Florida is Florida’s oldest statewide conservation nonprofit, working to protect Florida’s water, wildlife, habitat, and climate. We use strong science to inform pragmatic policy solutions to the environmental challenges facing Florida, involving people and communities to protect the natural resources that underpin our economy and quality of life.

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