Florida Clean Tech – Room to Improve

by Alison Lueders, Great Green Editing

This past spring, the research firm Clean Edge, Inc. released its 2013 U.S. Clean Tech Leadership Index. This report compares the 50 states on about 70 different factors related to clean tech. “Clean tech” is defined as “a diverse range of products, services and processes that harness renewable materials and energy sources, dramatically reduce the use of natural resources, and cut or eliminate emissions and waste.”

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California ranked number 1 in the index. Florida ranked 34th.

The same report ranks metro areas on about 20 clean tech indices, ranging from green buildings to transportation systems to clean energy and workforce readiness. San Francisco, CA ranked 1st. In fact, 5 California cities made it into the top 10.

Tampa ranked 45th – ahead of Miami but 8 spots behind Orlando.

The purpose of sharing this information is not to beat up Florida or Tampa Bay. But it IS to raise awareness that:

  • Our city and state have lots of room to improve with regards to clean tech.
  • There are many states and cities to learn from – we don’t have to re-invent the wheel. Heck, Atlanta ranks 24th – that’s 21 spots ahead of us, and they are right next door!
  • In the hunt for companies – and people – who bring jobs and value quality of life, buffing our state’s clean tech credentials is another way to compete and grow our economy.

People come to Florida for many reasons. Why not give them a few more?