Ron DeSantis on Climate Change
TL;DR
Ron DeSantis actively opposes climate change mitigation policies while simultaneously funding adaptation efforts for its recognized effects.
Key Points
He signed legislation in May 2024 that officially erased the term “climate change” from most existing state statutes.
His administration rejected over $350 million in federal energy efficiency funding from the Inflation Reduction Act in the preceding year.
Legislation signed by him also bans power-generating wind turbines offshore or near the state's lengthy coastline.
Summary
Ron DeSantis's public stance on climate change is characterized by a strong rejection of policies aimed at mitigation, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while his administration concurrently allocates significant taxpayer funding toward infrastructure projects to adapt to the state's recognized climate change impacts. He has publicly framed climate action as the agenda of "radical green zealots" and has been poised to advance the Republican push against confronting climate change, especially during his unsuccessful presidential campaign. Concurrently, state budget documents prepared by his Department of Environmental Protection acknowledge Florida is "ground zero for the effects of climate change," citing the need for funding for programs like Resilient Florida to combat sea level rise and severe storms.
His administration has taken concrete steps to de-emphasize the issue in state governance, including signing legislation that erases the term “climate change” from state statutes, which also eliminated goals for curbing emissions and prioritizing vehicle fuel efficiency. This action came after he previously rejected substantial federal funding intended for energy efficiency initiatives under the Inflation Reduction Act. This dual approach of rhetorical opposition to mitigation combined with practical spending on adaptation highlights a politically driven resistance to acknowledging the anthropogenic causes of the climate threats Florida faces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ron DeSantis holds a publicly skeptical and oppositional stance toward policy solutions aimed at mitigating climate change, often criticizing such efforts as politically motivated. However, his administration acknowledges the physical realities of climate change impacts, such as sea level rise and severe storms, by continuing to fund adaptation and resilience projects.
The core political stance of Ron DeSantis, characterized by resistance to federal climate agendas and legislative action against terms like 'climate change,' appears consistent. However, his administration has acknowledged the reality of climate change effects when justifying funding for adaptation programs, creating a dichotomy between policy resistance and practical recognition.
Ron DeSantis stated that the bill scrubbing 'climate change' from state law was a commonsense approach to energy policy. He explicitly said the legislation was rejecting the agenda of 'radical green zealots' while simultaneously promoting the expansion of natural gas infrastructure.
Sources10
Florida Gov. DeSantis signs bill that deletes 'climate change' from state law
DeSantis signs bill erasing the term climate change from state law
Governor DeSantis's “Don't Say Climate Change” Law Won't Fly With Voters — Covering Climate Now
Florida Legislature Votes to Remove Mentions of Climate Change from Existing Laws
Ron DeSantis Florida climate change
Florida House votes to spike local government 'net zero policies' to reduce climate change
Florida is ‘ground zero for climate change,’ DeSantis staffers say
While spending billions on the environment, DeSantis blocks efforts to ease climate change
Ron DeSantis signs bill scrubbing 'climate change' from Florida state laws
Florida's Enactment of H. 1645 Furthers its Anti-Climate Change Crusade, but does not Expand Retirement Investment Restrictions
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.