Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) has filed a resolution formally acknowledging the existence of climate change and encouraging the legislature to develop policies to contend with its negative effects.
“We have to begin taking steps to combat climate change, and the first must be openly acknowledging that climate change is a very real issue. Only recently have the words ‘climate change’ been openly used here in the legislature, and I think the state of Florida needs to do its part in combatting the issue,” said Stewart.
SR 1572 outlines some of the threats posed to the state by climate change such as rising sea levels, fresh water contamination, severe storm events, and changes to agricultural crop yields. Currently, due to climate change, the average annual sea level rise is roughly one eighth of an inch. For every foot of sea level rise the shoreline moves inward 500 to 2,000 feet. This inland movement threatens the state’s infrastructure, tourism, and groundwater reserves.
“I think people are starting to see the early effects caused by climate change and its making them worry. You can only deny for so long until it starts affecting you personally,’ said Stewart.
