Dear friends,

Today, energy experts at Evolved Energy Research (EER) launched a landmark new report that introduced several accessible, systemic, and economically feasible strategies to rapidly transition Florida off fossil fuels and toward climate stabilization. 

This study is the first of its kind to detail multiple low carbon energy pathways Florida can take to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) to below 350 parts per million (ppm) by 2100, the scientific prescription for preserving a safe and stable climate. 

Report findings serve as an important tool for state policy decision-making and demonstrate to our courts that the remedy sought by our youth plaintiffs in Reynolds v. State of Florida - the declaration of their constitutional rights and a directive for their government to create a science-based climate recovery plan - is wholly achievable.

Learn more about the report, “350 PPM Pathways for Florida,” and watch a recording of today’s launch event, here.

Two Key Findings

While the full report, as well as a shorter Executive Summary and FAQ, are available to download on our site, we also wanted to share two key findings here:

It’s Achievable. 

The new report clearly establishes that Florida can meet statewide energy demand with 100% renewable energy sources (wind, water, solar, hydro, biomass, carbon storage, etc.) by 2050, even with a steady increase in demand for energy services. However, achieving this transformation in Florida by mid-century requires an aggressive deployment of low-carbon technologies and long-term energy system redevelopment strategies, all of which were detailed in concrete actions that should be taken in each decade. 

It’s Affordable. 

The report also found that overall net cost for energy transition would be very modest since most new spending on energy infrastructure would be offset by reduced spending on fossil fuels.

As Ben Haley with EER noted during his presentation, our governments already spend millions (or, nationally, trillions!) of dollars on energy systems and infrastructure; the transformation outlined in this new report would instead invest these dollars in cleaner, safer, more sustainable technologies and energy sources rather than energy systems that contribute to climate change and harm Florida’s youth. 

When the devastating costs of climate change, as measured via disaster relief/response and health care costs, are incorporated, switching to renewable energy systems clearly becomes the better, cleaner, and wholly affordable way forward.