Philip Stoddard Sheds Light on Florida’s Renewable Energy Challenges
As a biologist, Philip Stoddard made a name for himself as the mayor of South Miami. His political activism has earned him national recognition, with Politico, Rolling Stone, and National Geographic all praising his work on environmental issues, particularly his involvement with the White House’s National Ocean Council to tackle sea level rise in 2015.
The former Mayor Stoddard stands out as an exception in a state where investment in renewable energy has been lacking compared to the population, and where potential roadblocks are often encountered.
Stoddard recognizes the necessity of solar energy in order to reduce detrimental CO2 levels and has taken action to promote its usage. Through an RFP, he was able to negotiate fair countywide prices for solar installation, and then waived the permitting fees for South Miami customers. In 2017, his city commission passed an ordinance requiring the installation of solar panels on all new construction in South Miami, a historic first for any city outside of California.
Stoddard insists that we should be paying more attention to our carbon footprint, and suggests that solar energy is an often overlooked, yet practical solution. The International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that solar photovoltaics already help to save up to 330 million tons of carbon dioxide every year, even though it only makes up 2% of the world’s electricity. Currently, solar energy production in the US is anticipated to grow from 7% in 2015 to 36% in 2050. The only remaining question is whether Florida intends to join in on this transition.