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SARASOTA, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2019) – USF Sarasota-Manatee on Friday will host a daylong conference about the effects of climate change and how governments and businesses can adapt to the changes. When: Friday, Jan. 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Registration begins at 8 a.m.) Where: USF Sarasota-Manatee, Selby Auditorium, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. What: “Adapting to a Changing Climate: Challenges & Opportunities,” a daylong conference open to the public and featuring panels of scientists, engineers, government officials and CEOs engaging in discussions about climate change and its impacts. Climate change poses unique challenges to Florida. In addition to exploring the impacts on weather, sea-level rise and red tide, experts will discuss how climate change will affect coastal infrastructure, and what challenges and opportunities local governments and businesses might face as a result of climate change. Who: Among the speakers: -Bob Bunting, an atmospheric scientist and former meteorologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He founded the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research’s (UCAR) Corporate Affiliates Program in the 1980s and later co-founded the UCAR Foundation. -Dr. Robert Corell, principal of the Global Environment Technology Foundation. Dr. Corell is a professor at the University of Tromsø and head of the U.S. office for the Global Energy Assessment. -David Kotok, chief investment officer and founder of Cumberland Advisors. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Barron’s and other publications, and he is a frequent contributor to Bloomberg television and radio and Fox Business Network. -Tom Harmer, manager of the Town of Longboat Key. For more than 33 years, Harmer has worked in Florida as a city manager, fire chief, emergency manager and executive director of community development. Stevie Freeman-Montes, sustainability manager at the City of Sarasota. Freeman-Montes leads programs to conserve natural resources within city operations and collaborates with city planners on resiliency and sustainable development issues. -Lenny Landau, data analyst and engineer. Landau worked for General Electric Aircraft Engines for 39 years. Since moving to Longboat Key in 2002, Landau has applied his analytical skills to town budgets, beach nourishment, water and sewer systems, traffic, electric undergrounding, population cycle and the local impact of climate change/sea rise. *Other speakers include Patricia Healy, senior vice president, Cumberland Advisors; Ed Chiles, chairman, The Chiles Group; David McMahon, commercial lines executive, Atlas Insurance; and Jennifer and David Shafer, Shafer Consulting. **The session will include opportunities for one-on-one interviews. Please contact Rich Shopes, rshopes@sar.usf.edu, to reserve a media pass. ***For more information and a complete schedule of events, including panel discussions, visit usfsm.edu/climate. ### About USF Sarasota-Manatee (USFSM) USF Sarasota-Manatee is a regional campus of the University of South Florida system, offering the prestige of a nationally ranked research university with the convenience of a hometown location, including classes in Manatee and Sarasota counties, Venice and online. USFSM is ideal for those interested in pursuing a baccalaureate or master’s degree, professional certification, or continuing education credit in a small, personal setting with distinguished faculty and a dynamic curriculum of more than 40 academic programs. Website: www.usfsm.edu.