The Bob Graham Center for Public Service provides a wide variety of programs for students and the larger public on topics related to public service, public leadership and civic engagement.
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Our Gulf, Our Future: Unlocking Climate Tech Innovation
February 27 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
In a public talk in the Ocora, Dr. Galen Treuer from Miami-Dade County’s Climate Ready Tech Hub spoke about the intersection of climate change, environmental policy, and economic innovation. He highlighted the challenge of communicating climate change effectively, noting that abstract data often failed to inspire action, whereas tangible impacts like sea level rise and extreme weather events made the issue more immediate.
Treuer discussed the disproportionate economic and social costs of climate change, stressing that communities would pay with money, disrupted lives, and infrastructure damage. He shared his experience in Miami-Dade County, where he had transitioned from strategic climate planning to implementation, leading efforts to foster climate and economic innovation. His work played a key role in securing a $20 million federal Tech Hub grant through the CHIPS Act, positioning South Florida as a leader in climate resilience technology.
This initiative, backed by bipartisan support and a coalition of universities, businesses, and nonprofits, aimed to develop commercial solutions for water management and extreme weather adaptation. Ultimately, Treuer underscored the importance of action-oriented solutions that protect people, property, and the planet.
Watch the recording of the talk.