The state’s first ever Chief Science Officer, Thomas Frazer, a University of Florida professor with a Ph.D. in biological sciences, spoke about the need to reduce carbon emissions as well as to address Florida’s pressing water quality issues.
“Hey, climate change is real, and humans are responsible for it, and ultimately we’re going to have to reduce carbon emissions to reduce warming and its effects,” he said, noting that “climate change and sea level rise are big issues for Florida … I think the governor recognizes that.”
In addition to Frazer, Gov. Ron DeSantis, who just took office in 2019, has also appointed the state’s first ever Chief Resilience Officer to help the state confront sea level rise.