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Steven GlassmanDISTRICT 2 COMMISSIONERCity of Fort LauderdaleCommissioner%u2019s MessageFort Lauderdale has always been defined by its water and its weather. As the %u201cVenice of America,%u201d our beautiful city offers 337 miles of coastline, and our breezy semi-tropical climate produces sunny skies nearly 250 days per year.The sun and sea were the impetus for Fort Lauderdale%u2019s early development, and theyremain major drivers of our economy and key factors in our quality of life. For manydecades, people have visited and moved here to enjoy our beaches, fishing, andwater sports. From Spring Break tourism to Port Everglades cruise and cargo, from the Swimming Hall of Fame to yacht provisioning - it is all possible because of our climate.Yet as much as climate benefits our city, it now presents one of our greatest challenges. Today, the City of Fort Lauderdale and the entire South Florida region are considered among the most vulnerable areas in the world when it comes to climate change. Climate change is no longer just a global scientific topic of discussion. It is real, local and personal for all of us.We are proud to be among the nation%u2019s most progressive populations when it comes to climate resiliency. In our region, City leadership is at the forefront of mitigation and adaptation activity. Private residents, businesses, organizations, students and teachers are all getting involved.Over the last 10 years, Fort Lauderdale created a Sustainability Division, formed a Sustainability Advisory Board and also incorporated a Green Your Routine program. %u201cGreen Your Routine%u201d helps to educate and assist the neighbors on what could be done in their neighborhoods regarding topics such as recycling, energy efficiency in and outside the home, and much more.Another noteworthy commitment to climate change was the creation of the 2035 Visionfor the City of Fort Lauderdale. One of the six parts of our vision statement is %u201cWe areReady: We are a resilient and safe coastal community.%u201d In addition, every year since2020, the City Commission has selected resilience as one of its top priorities.The more resilient we make our beaches, utilities, drainage systems, seawalls, bridges, roads and homes, the less damage inclement weather and high tides will inflict on our City. We will reduce our risks and avoid debilitating costs from disaster response and infrastructure rebuilding. As we make wise, calculated decisions about our infrastructure, we will be able to effectively manage increased water supply demands by reducing our per capita use and reuse. In addition, improved drainage 46 LAS OLAS BOULEVARD & ISLESCity Hall, 8th Floor100 N Andrews AveFort Lauderdale, FL 33311Office ContactErica FranceschiDistrict 2 Chief of [email protected] CacicedoDistrict 2 Commission [email protected]