Climate change is a community issue

Southwest Floridians believe the time is now to conquer climate change.

"We believe we have an issue with water, and climate change is here in Southwest Florida," said Eileen Connolly-Keesler, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Collier County. " and we are all just saying we can't sit back here and do nothing."

Organizations from Lee and Collier counties are teaming up to form a three-year partnership to help address the region's changing environment.

The Community Foundation of Collier County, Southwest Florida Community Foundation, Florida Gulf Coast University and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida joined forces to align resources to address these time-sensitive issues.

"Look at the strengthening storms we're seeing, look at the flooding we're seeing, look at what's happening with red tide and blue-green algae," Connolly-Keesler said.

"The whole premise is we really need to spend time to educate the community on what climate change is doing to Southwest Florida. And that we can all be part of the solution."