“A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to be something more.”
Rosabeth Moss Kanter
Babcock Ranch
After Hurricane Ian last year, I was captivated by a story about Babcock Ranch, a small town near Naples, FL that never lost power or had major storm damage. Then this week, after listening to an interview with the community’s developer on the “How I Built This” Podcast, I couldn’t wait to share this story about a bold vision for a better future.
A bold vision for a better future
Recently, I wrote about how, in order to solve climate change, we need to start by imagining a better future. Syd Kitson did exactly that. He is a former NFL player who began a career in real estate development when he retired from football. He has always loved the outdoors, and envisioned a bold development project that would both protect the environment and provide a high quality, sustainable lifestyle for its residents.
When he bought the land back in 2006, Kitson decided that instead of developing every square inch, he would preserve the natural environment. Meanwhile, he would work with nature to make the community resilient against storms, while incorporating renewable energy.
This innovative thinking led to the the development of America’s first solar-powered town. It was designed to withstand extreme weather events like excessive water and wind. Also, the homes are sustainably engineered and energy efficient. The community includes a school, retail businesses, and outdoor space for residents.
Proof of principle
People started moving into the town in 2018. By the time Hurricane Ian made a direct hit as a category 4 in 2022, 5000 people were living there, including Syd Kitson. He stayed through the storm, and despite the hours of battering wind and rain, they never lost power or internet. Other than a bit of minor damage, the town was virtually unscathed. It passed the test with flying colors.
Better future
Solving climate change will take this kind of bold vision. In a perfect world, this model would be replicated all over, especially in regions prone to severe climate-related events. The concepts can be used for smaller-scale projects as well.
Demand is starting to drive change. Homebuyers are becoming more interested in efficient, electric homes, powered by clean energy. Energy-efficient homes save their owners money and have higher resale value. The more consumers ask for these features, the more likely developers will be to respond.
What can we do?
- If you’re making a move, ask your realtor about homes with energy-efficient and sustainable features
- Learn about the climate-related risks to your property, and prepare for the future
- If you know someone who works in real estate development, ask for their thoughts about this story
- Look into solar power at home, and consider other energy-saving changes
- Electrify your life
Let’s do something about climate change. Learn about it. Think about it. Talk about it.