Climate science can tell us what is changing.
It can help us understand rising seas, warming temperatures, changing hurricane risk, water quality and the growing pressures facing coastal communities like ours.
But science alone cannot make Sarasota more resilient.
People do that.
They are the leaders willing to take what we know and turn it into decisions, projects, partnerships and action.
At the Climate Adaptation Center, we call them Climate Champions.
And as we prepare for the 6th Annual Florida Climate Conference on November 12, their role may be more important than ever.
What makes someone a Climate Champion?
A Climate Champion does not have to be a climate scientist.
They can be a business leader, government official, engineer, educator, philanthropist, environmental leader, researcher or someone working quietly behind the scenes to make our community stronger.
What matters is what they do with the knowledge we have.
CAC’s Climate Champions have included leaders working on resilient construction, natural resources, water quality, sustainability, coastal protection and community planning. This year’s honorees included Sarasota County Sustainability and Resilience Manager Sara Kane, Manatee County Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker and Willis Smith Construction President and CEO John LaCivita.
Different professions. Different expertise.
But a common purpose: turning knowledge into action.
Bob Bunting, CEO of the Climate Adaptation Center, has described these leaders as beacons for climate adaptation. CAC now has a growing network of Climate Champions whose work demonstrates what can happen when leadership, science and practical solutions come together.
Sarasota needs more than good ideas
That distinction matters.
Climate adaptation cannot simply be something we discuss after the next hurricane, flood or record-breaking stretch of heat.
Resilience has to be built before the next disruption arrives.
That requires scientists who can help us understand the risks.
It requires government leaders who can turn information into planning.
It requires businesses willing to innovate.
It requires philanthropists and community organizations willing to support ambitious ideas.
And it requires people willing to bring those pieces together.
That is what Climate Champions do.
Now imagine connecting them
This is where the conversation becomes especially exciting.
What if we could connect the people already doing important resilience work across Sarasota with better environmental observations, climate science, forecasting and new technology?
That is part of the vision behind the Sarasota Living Laboratory for Coastal Resilience.
The idea is to bring environmental observations, science, technology, artificial intelligence and community decision-making together into a connected coastal system.
Instead of simply talking about resilience, Sarasota could increasingly observe it, test it, demonstrate it and learn from it.
CAC’s 2026 Climate Champions already have a connection to that vision. Bob Bunting has said he hopes the growing group of Climate Champions will play an important role in building the Living Laboratory.
Think about what that could mean.
People who understand water.
People who understand infrastructure.
People who understand climate science.
People who understand technology.
People who understand government.
People who understand business.
People who understand Sarasota.
All helping solve different pieces of the same puzzle.
Sarasota Bay becomes the laboratory
At the center of this vision is one of the things that makes our region extraordinary: Sarasota Bay.
The Living Laboratory is envisioned as a way to better connect observations of our atmosphere, water and coastal environment with forecasting, modeling, artificial intelligence and eventually a digital representation of the coastal system.
The goal is straightforward: understand more clearly what is happening now, better anticipate what could happen next and give decision-makers better information about how we prepare.
And if Sarasota can demonstrate what works here, what we learn could ultimately help other coastal communities facing many of the same challenges.
Sarasota Bay becomes the laboratory. Sarasota becomes the prototype.
This is why November 12 matters
You have probably seen us talking about the 6th Annual Florida Climate Conference.
Now it is time to decide whether you want to be in the room.
Every year, this conference brings together people who care deeply about the future of Florida and our coastal communities.
This year is different.
On November 12, the Climate Adaptation Center will unveil the framework for the Sarasota Living Laboratory for Coastal Resilience.
You’ll hear from leading climate scientists and from leaders representing some of Sarasota’s most important institutions.
You’ll hear about climate prediction, coastal water quality, environmental observations and the technology that could help us better understand our changing environment.
And you’ll hear from people already demonstrating what resilience can look like at places such as Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and The Bay.
This isn’t simply another conversation about the problem.
It’s a conversation about what we do next.
Maybe the next Climate Champion is you
Climate Champions don’t all have laboratories.
They don’t all run companies.
And they don’t all hold public office.
Sometimes leadership begins much more simply: by showing up, learning, asking questions, making connections and deciding that the future of your community is worth being part of.
On November 12, a remarkable collection of scientists, civic leaders, business leaders and community partners will be in one room talking about Sarasota’s coastal future.
There is still a seat in that room for you.
6th Annual Florida Climate Conference
From Climate Risk to Climate Resilience
Thursday, November 12, 2026
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Selby Auditorium
New College of Florida North Campus (formerly USF-Sarasota Manatee Campus)
Reserve your seat:
https://theclimateadaptationcenter.networkforgood.com/events/103790-6th-annual-cac-florida-climate-conference-from-climate-risk-to-climate-resilience