Florida is about to erase climate change from most of its laws

In Florida, the impacts of climate change are impossible to overlook, regardless of political affiliation. With record-breaking temperatures and increasing threats of rising sea levels and hurricanes, the state is taking action to bolster coastal resilience with over $640 million in funding. Unfortunately, some lawmakers are hesitant to address the root cause of these issues. Governor Ron DeSantis is considering a bill that would ban offshore wind energy, ease regulations on natural gas pipelines, and eliminate the mention of climate change in state laws. This move is concerning to many, including Yoca Arditi-Rocha of the CLEO Institute, who believes it sends the wrong message about the urgency of addressing climate change. Despite Florida’s vulnerability to climate impacts, the state’s politicians have a history of downplaying the role of fossil fuel emissions in driving these changes. Governor Rick Scott’s administration even restricted the use of terms like “climate change” in official communications. While the state has made progress in preparing for climate impacts, critics worry that erasing climate-related language from laws could hinder future efforts to attract green investments and address the root causes of climate change.