Florida jumped the EcoRight fold this week when former Rep. Carlos Curbelo penned the op-ed, We cannot run from climate change, especially not the GOP. (Real Clear Politics) “I am one of a small but growing group of Republicans who recognize climate change and believe conservatives must find a market-centered approach to solving it. For me, the issue is personal just like it is for the 59 percent of Americans who say the changing climate is affecting their local communities,” he writes. “As a private citizen, I’m continuing to support common-sense ideas to address climate change. It’s why I joined Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy as a distinguished visiting fellow. And it’s why I have recently joined the board of advisers for the Alliance for Market Solutions.” It was also announced this week that Curbelo has joined The Nature Conservancy’s Florida board of trustees, a volunteer board of 20 members. “I feel fortunate to continue my work on climate and the environment through an organization that understands we can only succeed by building consensus and promoting bipartisan support for the solutions that will heal the planet and secure the future,” he said.
At the end of last week, Rep. Francis Rooney introduced with delegation mate Rep. Matt Gaetz a resolution “expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that sea level rise and flooding are of urgent concern impacting Florida that require proactive measures for community planning and the states tourism-based economy to adapt.” Rooney has grown loud spoken about the need to address climate change and will co-chair the House Climate Solutions Caucus with Rep. Ted Deutch. “Sea-level rise, storm surge and flooding currently threaten millions of homes across the state of Florida. I introduced this resolution to express my grave concern about the dangers associated with rising seas, and to stress the need to proactively prepare for future effects, such as increased risks of flooding from stronger hurricanes,” Rooney said on Friday.
The Sunshine State is crushing it.