This week’s must listen: Former Rep. Bob Inglis on regulatory rollbacks (NPR)
This week’s must read: Why rollback of climate policies could be a long slog (Christian Science Monitor)
This week in climate change, we’ll start with the good news. The bipartisan House Climate Solutions Caucus co-founded by Florida members Rep. Carlos Curbelo and Rep. Ted Deutch swelled to 34 members, 17 from each party. New members on the Republican side include California Rep. Darrell Issa, Rep. Rodney Davis from Illinois, and New Yorkers John Faso, Peter King and Tom Reed. About the expansion, Curbelo said: “This caucus has such a diverse group of members and each brings unique perspectives to the table. We have a responsibility to our constituents and future generations to have productive discussions about market-based solutions, investments, and innovations that could mitigate the effects of climate change and make our nation more resilient.”? (Click here for comments from new members.)
Earlier in the week, Republican Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado, a vocal supporter for climate change action, highlighted in his eighth and final State of the City address the severity of the climate-related impacts the city is experiencing.
Climate change is “the biggest challenge the city of Miami will ever face,” Regalado said. “The city of Miami is one of the most exposed assets in the world to climate change and sea level rise.” He recommends a ballot initiative in November for $100 million to fight climate change and sea level rise. “This is an issue that cannot be prolonged anymore. We have to start workingall of the departmentsbecause if not, our children and our children’s children won’t have the magic city we so enjoy,” he said.
In case you missed it, by executive order, President Donald Trump made good on a campaign promise to dismantle the Clean Power Plan, as well as requirements that federal agencies consider climate change in policymaking decisions. “Our administration is putting an end to the war on coal,” Trump said, accompanied onstage by more than a dozen coal miners and Vice President Mike Pence. “We’re ending the theft of American prosperity, and rebuilding our beloved country.” Response from the ecoright was immediate. Mayor Jim Brainard said, “cities aren’t going to stop. They were working on things that save money and provide a better environment long before the federal government got involved with the Clean Power Plan, and they’ll continue to do so.” Climate Leadership Council) founder Ted Halstead said he expects “significant backlash” to a repeal-only climate strategy. “The majority of Americans care about this issue.” Rep. Ileans Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-27) called Trump’s plan “troubling.”
Admin exec order rolling back #climatechange regulations harmful to #SoFla and will not help combat #SeaLevelRisehttps://t.co/0puu1zVAuU
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (@RosLehtinen) March 28, 2017
And finally, the climate jester of the week award goes to Pennsylvania state Sen. Scott Wagner, who said human body heat causes global warming. Wagner told an audience of natural gas drilling advocates, “I haven’t been in a science class in a long time, but the Earth moves closer to the sun every year. You know, the rotation of the Earth. We’re moving closer to the sun.” He added, “We have more people. You know, humans have warm bodies. So is heat coming off? Things are changing … but I think we are, as a society, doing the best we can.” Wagner intends to run for governor.
That’s a wrap for ClimateEye. Have a great weekend.