Florida meteorologist goes after DeSantis over climate change rollback
A television meteorologist in Florida slammed Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for signing a bill that will remove the requirement for the state to consider climate change when creating energy policy and roll back nearly all references to climate change in state law.
“Don't say Climate Change! As Florida is on fire, underwater and unaffordable, our state government is rolling back climate change legislation and language,” Steve MacLaughlin, a meteorologist for NBC 6 News in Miami, wrote Saturday on the social platform X.
The post was attached to a nearly minutelong video of MacLaughlin discussing the new Florida law, which DeSantis signed last week and will take effect in July.
“On Thursday, we reported on NBC 6 News that the government of Florida was beginning to roll back really important climate change legislation and really important climate change language in spite of the fact that the state of Florida, over the last couple of years, has seen record heat, record flooding, record raining, record insurance rates and the corals are dying all around the state," MacLaughlin said in the video.
Florida experienced its warmest year on record since 1895 in 2023, with a statewide annual average of 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the office of the state climatologist. The Sunshine State has also seen many insurers leaving, many of whom are citing high exposure to catastrophe costs.
"The world is looking to Florida to lead in climate change, and our government is saying that climate change is no longer the priority it once was,” MacLaughlin continued.
MacLaughlin joined a series of environmental leaders who lambasted the new law as disregarding the state's environment threats.
Along with rolling back climate change considerations and language, the law also prohibits offshore wind turbines in Florida waters or the construction of offshore wind facilities within a mile of the state's coastline. No such facilities are currently located in the state.
The law also makes the process of approving natural gas pipelines easier and excises language that allows state officials to set renewable energy goals.
DeSantis applauded the law last week, arguing it is “restoring sanity in our approach to energy and rejecting the agenda of the radical green zealots.”
MacLaughlin stopped short of pushing Florida residents to vote for specific candidates in November but suggested they "do [their] research" ahead of the election.
"Please keep in mind, the most powerful climate change solution is the one you already have in the palm of your hands: the right to vote. And we will never tell you who to vote for, but we will tell you this: We implore you to do your research and know that there are candidates that believe in climate change and that there are solutions, and there are candidates that don't," MacLaughlin said.
The Hill reached out to DeSantis's office for further comment.
The Florida governor has repeatedly butted heads with environmental advocates and, while running for GOP president earlier this year, said of the Biden administration's environmental policies, "I'm ripping it up and throwing it in the trash can where it belongs."
He also has been against offshore drilling in Florida and opposed fracking during his first gubernatorial campaign, pointing to uncertain risks to Florida soil.
Date: | |
Tag: | Florida |
Filter
-
G7 to demand wealthy developing nations pay up on climate change
Move by leaders of rich nations puts them on collision course with China, India and Saudi Arabia after UN talks end in failureFinancial Times - World - Climate -
Florida tourism board approves Walt Disney World expansion plans, ending Disney-DeSantis feud
The special district that governs Walt Disney World voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the theme park's expansion plans.Los Angeles Times - Entertainment - Florida -
Starmer rules out capital gains tax rise as Tory minister admits migration 'frustration'
With less than three weeks until the election, party leaders are hitting the road again today.BBC News - Top stories -
Where RFK Jr. Stands on the Issues: From Abortion to Climate Change
The independent candidate, though still a long shot, has found support for his blend of populist economic rhetoric, isolationist foreign policy leanings and government skepticism.The New York Times - Top stories - Climate -
Migration, voter fraud and climate change – Farage's claims fact-checked
The Reform UK leader spoke to BBC Breakfast and Radio 5 Live about several issues on Friday morning.BBC News - Top stories - Climate -
'Gut-wrenching effects of climate change': WH climate adviser on heat deaths and floods
White House national climate adviser Ali Zaidi joins Meet the Press NOW to talk about the Biden administration’s efforts to address climate change.NBC News - Politics - Climate -
Two people die after historic rainfall in Florida
Friday is expected to be the fourth straight day of excessive rainfall in south Florida, flooding homes and roadways from Fort Myers to Fort Lauderdale, which has already been hard hit.CBS News - Top stories - Florida -
Entire Florida neighborhoods underwater after heavy rain
Florida residents are still reeling from flooding in cities across the state that saw multiple days of devastating rainfall. In Miami, cars remain submerged and several families evacuated from their homes. CBS News national correspondent Manuel ...CBS News - Top stories - Florida -
Flooding Remains Possible on Fourth Day of Soaking Rains in South Florida
A flood watch was active until Friday evening after hundreds of flights were canceled and states of emergency were declared in several counties. More rain was expected into the afternoon.The New York Times - Top stories - Florida -
The UK Green Party struggles to be heard in an election where climate change is on the back burner
There’s lots of talk of change in Britain’s election campaign, but little talk about climate changeABC News - World - United Kingdom
More from The Hill
-
Raskin hits Republicans for bowing to 'sugar daddy' Trump after Capitol visit
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) criticized his Republican colleagues in Congress Saturday after they met with former President Trump in closed-door meetings earlier this week, calling the positivity around the visit "a scandal and a disgrace." The ...The Hill - Politics - Donald Trump -
Sunday shows preview: Trump sells GOP unity with Capitol visit
Former President Trump made an appearance on Capitol Hill this week, attempting to rally Republican lawmakers during his first time meeting with Congress since the Jan. 6, 2021 riots. Several of his most loyal supporters will make appearances on ...The Hill - Politics - Donald Trump -
America is full of the living dead — and Mississippi is ground zero.
lawmakers in Mississippi and across this nation must finally put people over politics and deliver much-needed policies like Medicaid expansion and increased access to health care to meet the urgency that this crisis demands.The Hill - Politics -
Israeli military says 8 soldiers killed as fighting rages in southern Gaza
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that an explosion or missile attack killed eight Israeli soldiers in a military vehicle in Rafah, marking the deadliest incident for the Israeli army in Gaza since January. Israeli military spokesperson ...The Hill - Politics - Israel -
Harris announces $1.5B aid package for Ukraine at peace summit
Vice President Kamala Harris announced a $1.5 billion aid package for Ukraine in its war against Russia at the Summit for Peace Saturday in Switzerland. "This war remains an utter failure for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin,” Harris, said ...The Hill - Politics - Ukraine