A catastrophic weather event has left entire neighborhoods in Florida underwater, with streets in Hollywood, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale transformed into rivers. The disaster, which saw over 20 inches of rainfall within a week, has prompted Governor Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency. However, instead of focusing solely on the flooding, DeSantis used the opportunity to defend his controversial decision to scrap Florida’s climate change goals.
DeSantis Comes Under Attack While Florida Is Submerged
The governor’s move has sparked outrage, with critics accusing him of prioritizing energy policy over the welfare of Floridians. “We don’t want our energy policy driven by climate ideology,” DeSantis said during a tour of the flood zones. The governor’s stance has been met with fierce opposition, with many arguing that his policies will exacerbate the effects of climate change.
Extreme Weather Events
The recent flooding is just one example of the extreme weather events that are becoming increasingly common in Florida. In some areas, a month’s worth of rain fell in a single night, with Tampa Bay experiencing a massive eight inches of rain in just three hours – an event predicted to occur only once every 500 to 1000 years. The extreme weather has resulted in 120 flight delays or cancellations, with many residents forced to evacuate their homes.
“Don’t Say Climate Change” Law
DeSantis’s decision to erase language mentioning “climate change” from state law and axe a 16-year-old policy prioritizing climate change in energy policy decisions has been dubbed the “Don’t Say Climate Change” law. The move has drawn comparisons to the equally controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law from 2022.
DeSantis Defends His Stance
The governor has insisted that his policies are not about denying climate change, but rather about prioritizing affordability and reliability in energy policy. However, critics argue that his stance will lead to higher costs and less reliable energy. DeSantis has also pointed to states like California as examples of what not to do, claiming that their focus on climate change has resulted in higher energy costs.
Fossil Fuels Forever?
The new laws have also banned offshore wind farms, made it harder for lawmakers to impose bans on gas appliances, and eased permit restrictions for natural gas pipelines. The move has sparked concerns that Florida is prioritizing fossil fuels over renewable energy.
Hurricane Season Looms
As Florida recovers from the recent flooding, experts are predicting an extremely busy hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned of an 85% chance of an above-average hurricane season, with up to 25 named storms, including 13 hurricanes.
Public Outcry
The timing and substance of DeSantis’s policies have sparked widespread outrage, with environmentalists and Democrats arguing that the changes are a step backward. Many are worried that the governor’s stance will make extreme weather events like the recent flooding more frequent and severe.
Follow the Money
Critics argue that DeSantis’s policies are driven by a desire to please big utilities and the natural gas industry, rather than a commitment to protecting the environment.
Florida’s Climate History
Florida’s climate policy has seen many ups and downs over the years. Under Governor Charlie Crist, the state took a hard stance against climate change, but things took a turn after Rick Scott’s administration rolled back many of these efforts. DeSantis’s policies seem to be continuing this trend, with the governor promoting tax breaks for gas stoves and blocking restrictions on natural gas.
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A Bad Move?
The flooding and DeSantis’s comments came in the same week that the governor vetoed more than half of the $410 million set aside for local water projects, including 22 stormwater drainage projects. Critics argue that the move will leave Floridians paying the price for the governor’s climate stance.
Rising Seas, Sinking Land
Florida is one of the states most at risk from sea-level rise and extreme weather, with sea levels expected to rise by up to a foot in the next 30 years. The state’s shaky future has sparked concerns about the long-term viability of its coastal communities.