A Petition for Florida’s Future Energy Policies
30 May '08
A Petition for Florida’s Future Energy Policies
During the July 12, 2007 Summit on Global Climate Change, Governor Charlie Crist of Florida opened the floor with the following remarks.
“Global climate change is one of the most important issues we face this century, and we must take action,” Governor Crist said. “We must make every effort to boldly do our best to do what is right – for our environment, for our economy and for future generations. We have a responsibility to be good stewards of Florida’s natural resources and beautiful surroundings.”
“Florida is uniquely vulnerable to the impact of climate change,” Governor Crist said. “Bordered by bodies of water, our state has thousands of miles of rivers, streams and waterways. Our waters define our state’s identity, and global climate change can threaten that identity.”
Most scientists currently believe that with the increase in the world’s temperature the ice caps will melt at an unnerving pace. These events will cause flooding along much of the United States coast line. With a 3-foot rise in sea levels the outer cities and towns of Florida will be under water. If there is a 20-foot increase about ¼ of Florida would be submerged in water. This devastation would cause significant deaths in human and animal life. The most vulnerable would be our low and middle income households.
During Crist’s keynote address at the Global Climate Change Summit, he announced that he was committed to “being a person of action. Here in Florida, we plan to reduce greenhouse gases and increase our energy efficiency. Florida will pursue renewable solar energy sources – after all we are the Sunshine State – as well as wind and alternative energy such as ethanol and hydrogen. I know there are some who still debate global climate change.”
“While debate is healthy, we must acknowledge that there is a strong body of scientific evidence indicating that global climate change is real. We know that carbon emissions have grown exponentially, that they take time to dissipate – and that they are contributing to this change. We cannot afford to ignore this issue any longer.”
Did you know that 70 percent of Florida’s electricity is generated by fossil fuels? This alone could economically handicap our economy. What better way to strengthen our economy by advancing our technology while creating more jobs to help support this state’s oath in pursuing alternative energy resources.
“We must be good stewards of the land, air and water. We must not live only for today – only using – and not replenishing the resources we use. We cannot thoughtlessly waste what God and nature have so bountifully supplied. The very nature of our democracy depends on conserving our natural resources. “-Governor Charlie Crist
In light of what Governor Crist has said at the Global Summit on Climate Change in July 2007 and his recognition of the severity and damage that fossil fuels have caused and are causing in the world’s climate and the effect it will have on Florida, we urge you to sign this petition in support of Governor Crist and to spur on the Florida Legislature into action in support of Governor Crist in the changing over of Florida from a carbon emission state to a clean renewable energy state. It is time to put aside corporate profits, influence and convenience and to put America, Florida and OURSELVES … FIRST.
Commit to the pursuit; sign the petition.