Smart move:
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/...
Democratic candidate for governor Charlie Crist fueled the climate wars Friday and called Florida State University oceanography professor Jeff Chanton offering to meet with the scientists who asked to meet with Gov. Rick Scott.
Scott said this week that someone in his administration would meet with the 10 climate scientists from universities and colleges across the state, but after Crist agreed to meet, them, the governor also agreed.
"I would be happy to meet with them. We have a great record on the environment and restoration projects in Florida," Scott said in a statement released by his campaign.
The state's top climate experts want to explain the research that shows the impact human-induced global warming is having on Florida.
But Jeff Chanton, the FSU oceanography professor who delivered the letter to the governor on Tuesday, told the Miami Herald that he was hoping to meet with the governor. - Miami Herald, 7/18/14
Here's a little more info:
http://www.tampabay.com/...
Scott said this week that someone in his administration would meet with the 10 climate scientists from universities and colleges across the state, but after Crist agreed to meet them, the governor also agreed.
"I would be happy to meet with them. We have a great record on the environment and restoration projects in Florida," Scott said in a statement released by his campaign.
The state's top climate experts want to explain the research that shows the impact human-induced global warming is having on Florida.
Chanton delivered their letter to the governor Tuesday asking for the meeting to explain to him the impact human-induced global warming will have on Florida. The letter has prompted media attention for Chanton all week, and on Friday, after Crist's call and the governor's updated answer, he said he was "very pleased."
Crist was governor when climate change policies had become politically popular for Republicans like former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Crist launched a series of aggressive policies aimed at targeting greenhouse gas emissions. - Tampa Bay Times, 7/18/14
I can understand why these scientists would want to meet with Scott but Crist really is the man should be wanting to their Governor next year:
http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/...
When it comes to climate change, Scott has had a very wishy-washy and glib "I'm no scientist" stance. His record as governor isn't anything to boast about either, as his administration has basically screwed the state's environment across the board, as GOP leaders are wont to do these days.
Crist, on the other hand, was very enviro-friendly when he was governor, back when it was cool for the GOP to be green.
As governor in 2008, Crist hosted a Climate Change summit. He also appropriated $100 million to continue to restore the Everglades. He made sure manatees were not taken off the endangered species list and kept a coal-fired power plant from being built near the Everglades. Crist was also active in trying to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions.
Crist also signed three executive orders to make sure the state was a leader in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and carbon emission reduction. And he fought Big Sugar by trying to negotiate a deal to have the state buy a chunk of the Everglades for restoration.
Scott, meanwhile, assigned an attorney, Herschel Vinyard, to head the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. And, so far, not much good has been done. Regulations have been lax, and the state's environment have been put aside.
That is, until now, after Crist has stepped up and done what Scott should've done days ago. - Broward Palm Beach New Times, 7/18/14
Plus we all know these scientists would have a hard time getting through to someone like Scott:
http://thinkprogress.org/...
During the 2010 campaign, when asked by reporters if he believed in global warming, Scott replied that “I have not been convinced.”
But even as climate change remains a political football with Florida’s state government, municipal governments have already begun to move. Monroe, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and Broward counties joined forces in 2010 to produce a single plan addressing sea level rise. They adopted unified projections, and are moving with coordinated efforts to rebuild damaged infrastructure, resuscitate declining coastal ecosystems, and to protect themselves from flooding, storm surges, and saltwater intrusions into aquifers and fresh water supplies.
The counties cannot handle everything on their own, however. Some alterations to roads and sidewalks and other infrastructure has to be done in coordination with other counties or the state government. Nor can the four counties move all the money and resources that’s needed on their own. They need state aid.
The recently released National Climate Assessment warned that Southeast Florida is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, and that “just inches of sea level rise will impair the capacity of stormwater drainage systems to empty into the ocean.” A tide gauge in Key West that’s been measuring sea levels since 1913 has detected an eight-inch rise as of 2013, and the World Resources Institute projects another rise of anywhere between nine inches and two feet by 2060. By 2030, the risk of storm surges at the four foot mark is anticipated to double, and the more dire scenarios project a sea level rise of as much as six feet by the end of the century.
That would do away with both Scott’s own beach-side mansion and the city of Miami. Meanwhile, 75 percent of South Florida’s residents — around 4.12 million people — live along the coast, and 2.4 million of them live within four feet of the tide line. - Think Progress, 7/18/14
Scott has really made a clown of himself for dodging question but he's going to have to answer some very serious ones soon:
http://www.crowleypoliticalreport.com/...
Let's begin with gay marriage. On Thursday a Monroe County judge ruled that two gay men can legally marry. That decision is now pending an appeal by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. Scott is certain to face questions about the ruling which, if eventually successful, could overturn a Florida constitutional amendment declaring that marriage in the Sunshine State can only be between a man and a woman.
Scott spokesman John Tupps said: "Governor Scott supports traditional marriage, consistent with the amendment approved by Florida voters in 2008, but does not believe that anyone should be discriminated against for any reason."
Dear Mr. Tupps - that statement is not going to hold up under close questioning. It would seem difficult to both support the anti-gay marriage amend and oppose discrimination "for any reason."
So the governor is going to need a better answer.
Scott is also going to have to deal with new questions from Florida scientists about climate change. They want a meeting with Scott - he has offered them his staff. His Democratic rival, Charlie Crist has offered to meet with the scientists.
Scott will need share his thoughts about Crist's new running mate - Annette Taddeo.
And, he will continue to be pressed on whether he supports increasing the minimum wage, All Aboard Florida, immigration reform and other issues.
While Scott and his team may think it is damn clever to give the governor a 10 second sound bite and have him repeat it over and over as if he is incapable of independent thought - the idea is clearly not working.
What you get instead is an image suggesting Scott is so afraid of saying the wrong thing that he becomes trapped by his own soundbite. This is not something that instills faith in his leadership or makes Floridians feel warm about him.
The solution is simple. Sure, have a couple of talking points but also be willing to just have a conversation. - Crowley Political Report, 7/18/14
Crist has a great record on the environment and we could use him back in Florida now more than ever. Click here to donate and get involved with Crist's campaign:
http://www.charliecrist.com/