This summer, Florida saw record-breaking temperatures that caused heat-related illnesses and electricity bills to spike as well as widespread coral bleaching and marine mortality throughout the Florida Keys—the most severe ever experienced in the state’s history. Additionally, in August 2023, Hurricane Idalia tore through Florida, causing pervasive flooding and becoming the United States’ 23rd billion-dollar weather disaster so far this year. Of the 19.6 million people in Florida, approximately 15 million live along the state’s coast and face flooding and storm surge risks from climate change-induced sea level rise and more powerful hurricanes. These climate change effects are threatening public health and safety and the livelihoods of Floridians, all while disproportionately harming low-income communities and communities of color.
The Inflation Reduction Act provides $369 billion to accelerate the U.S. transition to a clean energy economy that will create good jobs, reduce household energy costs, and build climate resilience, including in disadvantaged communities. This historic legislation is estimated to create more than 1.3 million high-quality, fair-wage jobs nationally and approximately 85,000 jobs in Florida by 2030. Florida’s leaders, as well as leaders in every state, have a critical opportunity to tap into Inflation Reduction Act funding to reduce climate and local pollution, as well as climate change threats, and deliver real, lasting benefits to households and communities to improve the lives of people living in their state.
Please join us for a discussion hosted by the Center for American Progress and the CLEO Institute on how the Inflation Reduction Act can improve lives and livelihoods in Florida, across the United States, and in the U.S. territories.