Stop politicizing climate change

I’m begging everyone, regardless of the party you identify with: Stop working overtime to turn climate change into a culture war. Call it what it is: a global threat that demands urgent attention.

Last month, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation that removes most references to climate change in state law, bans offshore wind turbines in state waters and weakens regulations on natural gas pipelines. The law went into effect on July 1, ironically during this year’s hurricane season, which is expected to be one of the most active on record. The National Hurricane Center has made it clear that for Florida, it’s not a matter of if but when a hurricane will hit.

With a highly anticipated active hurricane season, it is astounding to watch Florida lawmakers turn climate change into a political football and downplay the seriousness of global warming. DeSantis should have used his power to have this shortsighted and irresponsible provision struck from the bill. By censoring discussions on climate change, Florida lawmakers are not only failing to prepare for the inevitable but also actively exacerbating the problem.

The eagerness to turn climate change into a culture war underscores a growing desire to ignore scientific consensus and factual evidence in favor of promoting ideological divides. This shift is having far-reaching consequences, placing communities at greater risk. By prioritizing short-term political gains over long-term sustainability and resilience, political leaders scared of uttering the words climate change are failing in their duty to protect the interests of their constituents and future generations.

The consequences of climate change are not limited to Florida or any single state. They are felt globally, transcending political affiliations and cultural differences. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events and disruptions to ecosystems pose threats to human health, economic stability and national security. Ignoring these realities in favor of political posturing only exacerbates the severity of the crisis we face.

We must reject the politicization of climate change and instead prioritize evidence-based solutions grounded in scientific research and international cooperation. The stakes are too high to allow partisan bickering to obstruct meaningful action. We must hold our leaders accountable for their decisions and demand policies that address the root causes of climate change while fostering equitable and sustainable solutions for all.

Climate change requires bold and decisive action, and it is time for leaders to set aside partisan differences and work together to protect our planet for future generations. Ignoring the scientific consensus on climate change not only hampers our ability to mitigate its impacts but also puts lives and livelihoods at risk.

Mary Anna Mancuso is a political strategist and a spokesperson for RepublicEn.org, a growing group of conservatives who care about climate change. This opinion piece was distributed by The Invading Sea website (theinvadingsea.com), which posts news and commentary on climate change and other environmental issues affecting Florida.