FIU Hosts Panel on Environmental Resiliency and Climate Technologies in South Florida

FIU Hosts Panel on Environmental Resiliency and Climate Technologies in Washington, D.C.

On the heels of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s announcement of $19 million in funding for South Florida’s climate-oriented technology hub, FIU’s center in Washington, D.C. hosted an interactive panel titled “Building Tomorrow: Environmental Resiliency Through Climate Technologies.”

The U.S. Economic Development Administration established the tech hubs program in 2023 to invest in regions with the potential to become globally competitive in future technologies. South Florida was designated a climate technologies hub due to the implications of climate change on the region and its growing technology sector. More than half of the funding awarded will support research projects led by FIU.

The panel featured guest speaker Francesca Covey, Miami-Dade’s regional innovation officer for the South Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub, who emphasized the importance of driving successful projects and commercialization in the region. The workshop gathered 34 students serving as summer interns in Washington, where they shared their perspectives on climate science through an interactive polling system.

Panelists included Ayia Lindquist from NASA and Todd Crowl from FIU, who discussed climate-resilient technologies such as ultra high-performance concrete and autonomous robotic environmental sensors. They highlighted the importance of empowering local stakeholders with these technologies to make informed decisions and address climate vulnerabilities.

Students participating in the panel expressed how the discussion changed their perspectives on climate science and its impact on South Florida. The event followed a recent panel on Artificial Intelligence, showcasing the integration of AI and machine learning in FIU-led initiatives.

The panelists described the AI revolution as crucial for America’s future. The program was recorded for those who missed the event, offering valuable insights into the intersection of technology and climate resilience.