Florida Lawmakers Sign Bill Erasing Climate Change References from State Laws
Florida Lawmakers Delete Climate Change Mentions from State Laws in New Bill
As Florida continues to grapple with rising sea levels and record temperatures, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a new bill into law that goes to exceptional lengths to delete many mentions of climate change from state laws. The wide-ranging law makes significant changes to the state’s energy policy, including deleting entire sections of state law that address the importance of cutting planet-warming pollution.
One of the key provisions of the bill is the removal of the phrase ‘climate’ eight times throughout the text. This includes references to reducing the impacts of global climate change through energy policy and directing state agencies to purchase ‘climate-friendly’ products when they are cost-effective and available. Additionally, the bill eliminates a requirement for state-purchased vehicles to be fuel-efficient.
Governor DeSantis defended the new law, stating that Florida rejects the left’s agenda to weaken the energy grid, pursue a radical climate agenda, and promote foreign adversaries. He emphasized that the law would protect the state from what he referred to as “green zealots.”
Experts have noted that Florida’s move to delete climate change mentions from its laws is unprecedented. While erasing the phrase ‘climate change’ from government websites was common during the Trump administration, few other states have passed bills to move away from clean energy and remove climate references from their laws.
Last year, Florida experienced its hottest year on record, with South Florida particularly affected by scorching temperatures and rising sea levels. The state is considered one of the most vulnerable in the country to climate change impacts, with sea level rise already leading to increased flooding from storms and tides.
Despite the efforts to delete climate change mentions from state laws, Florida politicians have also focused on increasing community resilience to flooding and storms. Governor DeSantis and state lawmakers have allocated over $1.1 billion towards this effort, and the state has accepted federal funding for projects aimed at addressing climate impacts.
However, Florida has been hesitant to accept federal funding for climate and clean energy initiatives. Governor DeSantis vetoed millions of dollars in federal energy rebates and grants, and the state declined to compete for additional federal climate grants. This approach has been criticized by experts, who note that focusing on adapting to climate change without acknowledging its root cause is consistent with a conservative approach.
As Florida continues to face the challenges of climate change, the debate over how to address these issues at the state level remains ongoing. The new law removing climate change mentions from state laws reflects a broader trend of political divisions on environmental issues, with implications for the state’s future resilience and sustainability.