Climate Change Is Everyone's Concern

City Joins Global Climate Change Initiative

Empowering Youth to Tackle Climate Change

Mayor Keith A James and the City of West Palm Beach have joined forces with the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ new Youth Climate Action Fund. Together, we’re rallying the energy of West Palm Beach’s Youth, ages 15 to 24, to develop climate solutions here in West Palm Beach.

What the Youth Climate Action Fund Offers:

• Technical Expertise: The Youth Climate Action Fund equips mayors worldwide with the resources to combat urgent climate challenges.
• Financial Support: Funding opportunities are available to drive impactful initiatives that will be spearheaded by our city’s youth.

“Engaging our youth is not just an option; it’s an imperative in the face of climate change,” Mayor James said. “Through this initiative, we empower the next generation to lead the charge for a more sustainable future.”

 Standing out Globally:

Among 100 governments worldwide, West Palm Beach is the only Florida municipality participating in this global venture, which includes representatives from 38 nations.

Get Involved:

Are you ready to be a part of the solution? Learn more about the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund and how West Palm Beach’s youth can participate.  You may also contact Thomas Valeo for additional information.

Together, We Will Make the Difference:

Climate change knows no borders. Let’s empower our youth to lead the charge towards a more resilient and sustainable future. Solving climate change is a worldwide challenge. The solutions are in the hands of our youth, and together, we’ll build a better tomorrow.

Climate change is the long-term shift in average global temperature. Small, local, short-term weather fluctuations are not an indicator of climate change. However, our climate is indeed changing.

Average global temperatures have risen by 1.5 degrees since the 1880s, and the last decade was the hottest on record in all of recorded history. In recent years, the weather has become significantly more extreme.

Earth’s 2016 surface temperatures were the warmest since modern record keeping began in 1880, according to independent analyses by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Globally-averaged temperatures in 2016 were 1.78 degrees Fahrenheit (0.99 degrees Celsius) warmer than the mid-20th century mean. This makes 2016 the third year in a row to set a new record for global average surface temperatures.

Recently, droughts, wildfires and floods have all been more frequent and intense. Hurricane Sandy was the deadliest and most destructive hurricane in 2012, and was also the second costliest hurricane in the history of the U.S., costing $65 billion. “Superstorm Sandy” affected 24 states, claimed the lives of 286 people, and in New Jersey, flooded streets, tunnels and subway lines and changed the coastline forever.

In Florida, we are especially vulnerable to rising seas and higher temperatures. It is vitally important to our state and our City to take responsible measures to adapt and mitigate the effects of Climate Change. Below shows a map of Florida at 5 feet of sea level rise by 2100.