Climate change could virtually disappear in Florida -- at least according to state law

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Climate change could virtually disappear in Florida — at least according to state law

BY BRENDAN FARRINGTON
Updated 5:02 PM EDT, April 30, 2024

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida, perhaps the most vulnerable state to sea-level rise and extreme weather, is on the verge of repealing what’s left of a 16-year-old law that lists climate change as a priority when making energy policy decisions. Instead, the state would make energy affordability and availability its main focus.

A bill waiting to be signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis would strip the term “climate change” from much of state law and reverse a policy then-Gov. Charlie Crist championed as he built a reputation for being a rare Republican fighting to promote green energy over fossil fuels.

While Florida is distinct for having an enormous coastline and being flat — Miami’s average elevation is roughly 6 to 7 feet (2 meters) above sea level — the chairman of House Infrastructure Strategies Committee said it also has unique challenges and the climate change language in law makes meeting them more difficult.

-snip-

After Crist left office in 2011, Gov. Rick Scott, now a U.S. senator, gutted much of what Crist enacted. This year’s bill repeals what’s left of it. The bill passed the Legislature with Republican support and Democratic opposition. It was sent to DeSantis on Friday and he has until May 15 to take action. His office didn’t respond to multiple emails asking his position on it.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/florida-desantis-climate-change-environment-a3bee6775476d6f3e00b8c6cd500a3b1

[VMA131Marine]

1. Miami - 6-7 feet above sea level ...

Projected sea level rise by 2100 - as much as 7.2 feet. By 2150 the rise is projected to be as much as 12 feet.

Why can’t Republicans do math?

[Doodley]

4. They can't figure out why home insurance and flood insurance has rocketed. Probably blame Joe Biden.

[Doodley]

2. This is what happens when idiots vote for an idiot.

[JT45242]

3. That will surely make insurance companies confident in staying in FL...NOT!

If I were a for profit insurance company and seeing this, the justification to triple the rates of all FL entities including the government is clear. Car insurance, home insurance, flood insurance, farm insurance rates should all go up in response to this idiocy.

Then -- when pressed " THe decision to not mitigate and in fact increase risk by Governor DeSantis and the legislature left us with no other responsible choice."

[Submariner]

5. After Red Tide Ricky Scott

gutted the state environmental protection agencies (i.e., DNR, DEP, and SWFWMD) and eliminated those pesky water quality regulations, the runoff from the phosphate dredging/mining, among other insults to the environment, kicked off the nutrient overloads that turned into red tide fish kills, coral bleaching, and the huge seaweed loads washing up on Florida beaches.

That has resulted in the current flesh eating bacteria problems when beachcombers walk through the rotting sargassum, especially when the sand fleas are biting.

[quaint]

6. No worries for Floridians when they've outlawed climate change.

Once again, I am thankful for Gov. Gavin Newsom.

[Mickju]

7. Committing suicide.