Insurers in Florida understand that with the growing influence of severe weather, sea levels, and climate change in the very flat coastal areas of the southern parts of the state, which include Fort Myers, Cape Coral and the rest of Southwest Florida, thinking green is not optional. Global warming and climate change are worldwide issues that affect the Florida community far more than other areas of the US. Recent studies have shown that Florida has much greater risks than the surrounding states and other parts of the US.
Weather Impacts Florida
Because of its wonderful warm location, surrounded by abundant ocean and Gulf waters and its enviable amount of lakes and rivers, Florida is vulnerable to severe weather and this includes Fort Myers, Cape Coral and the surrounding area. The impacts include excessive heat, severe and damaging storms, flood surges, and rising sea levels. To the extent that human activity contributes to these forces, the insurance industry promotes balanced steps to reduce human impact. The insurance industry of Florida stands ready to reward consumers and businesses that adopt important environmental practices.
Protect and Conserve
Climate change and warming involve a wide range of human activity including driving oil powered vehicles, excessive use of electricity, over consumption of water and other vital resources. The insurance industry works with every part of the economy including businesses, energy producers, consumers, financial institutions, and governments. The industry watches for developments that affect its customers and the society as a whole; the industry constantly evaluates the risks of harms.
The Role of the Insurance Industry
Across the US and particularly in Florida, the insurance industry plays an important role in informing and guiding public policy on matters of environmental risk. Their involvements cover a wide range of basic activities. It ranges from flooding, storm surges, to insuring mortgages on commercial structures, boats, residences and vacation homes. The insurance industry is in a unique position to assess the impact of catastrophic weather events and the steps that the society can take to reduce risks.
Rewarding Small Positive steps
The causes of warming and climate change come from sources around the globe, and the effort to reduce human impact on these processes must also come from every place. The Florida Insurance industry has rewarded progress in reducing human impact on the environment and conserving resources. They reward conservation and award green construction techniques. Fort Myers insurance providers offer lower rates for enhanced structural safety and promote efforts to strengthen building codes to account for increased severe weather conditions. The industry monitors legislation that can have positive impacts on safety, infrastructure, and land use.
Urging Actions to Avoid Damage
The key to the management of climate change and severe weather events is to assess risk and take appropriate action. For example, if there are known risks such as overloading sewage systems due to increased water volume from intense storms, the insurance industry will urge public action to strengthen infrastructure. In this and similar ways, the industry protects the interests of its customers by giving voice to the need to prepare for foreseeable events. Just as the industry rewards green systems and stronger building codes, it looks at broad impacts on the areas it serves. When risks emerge, the industry acts to inform the public and urge appropriate action.
Herndon Carr
10501 Six Mile Cypress Pky #101
Fort Myers, FL 33966
239-939-1996
