DeSantis Should Take A Page From King Canute’s Book
Let me go out on a limb and say that Florida, particularly the coastal areas of south Florida are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change— more so than any other region in the continental U.S. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, sea levels around Florida are rising at an accelerated rate and credible projections suggest that by 2100, sea levels could rise between 2 to 6 feet, depending on global emissions scenarios… so, increased flooding, particularly during high tides and storm surges, especially in Miami and the Keys. On top of that, a flood of studies indicate that climate change is leading to more intense hurricanes, with higher wind speeds, more rainfall, and greater storm surges. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has noted an increase in Category 4 and 5 hurricanes in the whole Atlantic basin, mores in Florida. Hurricanes Irma (2017) and Michael (2018) exemplify the devastating effects, including deaths, extensive property damage and long-term economic impacts. And it’s getting worse, in 2022 Hurricane Ian caused something like $115 billion in damages and killed almost 150 people.
By the way, that isn’t all there is for Floridians to worry about since their state experiencing more frequent and severe heatwaves. The Union of Concerned Scientists projects that by mid-century, Florida could experience as many as 105 days per year with a heat index above 100°F, up from about 25 days currently, posing public health risks, particularly for the elderly, children and people with preexisting health conditions and without air-conditioners. It also affects agricultural productivity and increases energy demand for cooling. Increased temperatures and humidity are also leading to a rise in vector-borne diseases, such as those transmitted by mosquitoes (e.g., Zika, dengue, and West Nile virus).
And don’t forget coastal erosion. Whether DeSantis wants to acknowledge it or not, the US Geological Survey has documented substantial erosion along Florida’s coastlines, with some areas losing several feet of shoreline annually, threatening not just rich people’s mansions but also infrastructure and tourism, a major economic driver for the state. Efforts to mitigate erosion, such as beach nourishment, are very expensive and usually just temporary solutions. The Everglades, a critical natural resource, is threatened by both sea-level rise and changes in precipitation patterns. Saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers is a growing concern, even if not DeSantis’, potentially compromising the state’s freshwater supply. Water scarcity would affect agriculture, drinking water supplies and natural ecosystems.
The Risky Business Project has estimated that by 2050, Florida could see annual losses of $15 billion to $23 billion in property value due to rising sea levels alone. The economic impact of hurricanes, heatwaves, and other climate-related events could further exacerbate these losses. Major economic strain on insurance markets, real estate, tourism and agriculture, will affect the overall economic stability of the state.
So don’t ask me why Jeff Bezos just bought another $90 million dollar house on Indian Creek Island (Billionaire Bunker) which will definitely disappear under the waves at some point. Could it just be so he doesn’t have to pay taxes in California or Washington? I mean this whole phenomenon of skyrocketing real estate prices in Miami— despite the evident climate risks and the challenges with home insurance— makes little sense to me. One member of Congress who I asked said Bezos must be an idiot savant. Several others mentioned the taxes. Sure, people like Bezos prioritize exclusive locations, luxury properties and Florida’s lack of a state income tax but that still seems insane. I mean Miami’s vibrant cultural scene and lifestyle… warm winter weather. But 3 homes worth several million dollars that’s going to be washed away? Does he think he’ll be able to sell it to some criminal don from Moscow or St. Petersburg at some point?
Anyway, all that said, how about this Tweet from DeSantis a couple of days ago?
I’ll interpret it. His legislation will restrict the development of wind energy projects, something Trump probably requested. The bills aim to ensure the continued use of gasoline, indicating support for fossil fuels over renewable energy sources. He also aims to prevent Chinese investments or influence in the state. And the use of “Radical Green Zealots” speaks for itself all is likely to reduce renewable energy development in Florida, negatively impact job creation and investment in the red hot clean energy sector, which is a growing industry nationwide. These policies appeal to DeSantis’ MAGA nut base, positioning DeSantis as a strong opponent of progressive environmental policies in time for 2028.
Rebecca Rebecca Falconer reported that what DeSantis did in removing climate change as a priority in state energy policy at a time when “climate change's effects are already impacting Florida— notably a dangerous heat wave threatening the state's south this week that's already broken temperature records… Florida is also facing climate change-related threats from rising sea levels and ocean temperatures, hurricanes and other severe storms, extreme precipitation, flooding and toxic algae blooms… The legislation that deletes most mentions of climate change in state law reverses much of the policies and legislation that were introduced during the administration of the then-Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, a Democrat DeSantis defeated in the 2022 gubernatorial race.”
Critics say DeSantis is using climate change as part of a broader culture wars drive and environmental group Sierra Club's Florida chapter issued a statement saying the law "jeopardizes" the health and safety of all Floridians.
The law is largely symbolic as it doesn't prevent lawmakers from addressing climate change in energy policy.
Florida is a U.S. leader in solar power and the legislation doesn't impact this burgeoning industry.
And the state has no operational wind farms due to hurricanes and insufficient wind power.
Coral Davenport covered DeSantis’ snit-fit on Wednesday. “Florida’s state government,” she wrote, “will no longer be required to consider climate change when crafting energy policy under legislation signed Wednesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis… The new law, which passed the Florida Legislature in March and takes effect on July 1, will also prohibit the construction of offshore wind turbines in state waters and will repeal state grant programs that encourage energy conservation and renewable energy. The legislation also deletes requirements that state agencies use climate-friendly products and purchase fuel-efficient vehicles. And it prevents any municipality from restricting the type of fuel that can be used in an appliance, such as a gas stove… Faced with growing losses from floods and increasingly extreme weather, major insurers are pulling out of the state. Florida homeowners are scrambling to find coverage and, when they do, are paying some of the highest insurance premiums in the country. Thousands have enrolled in the state’s high-risk insurance pool of last resort, a fund that DeSantis has said is ‘insolvent.’ Instability in the insurance market threatens Florida real estate and, by extension, the state’s economy, experts say.”
Brooke Alexander-Goss, the clean energy organizing manager for the Florida chapter of the Sierra Club, said that DeSantis had “failed” his constituents by signing the bill.
“Allowing this bill to become law jeopardizes the health and safety of all Floridians, further proving that his top priority is to appease large corporations and fossil fuel companies,” she said. “We will pay more at the pump and for our insurance premiums, and we will certainly see increases in climate-related disasters and deaths.”
As for King Canute, he ruled England, Denmark and Norway in the 11th Century and he’s the perfect exemplar of someone who understood what an asshole people like DeSantis are in trying to command nature. His legend says he wanted to demonstrate to his courtiers, who were flattering him, claiming that his power was so great he could even control the sea, that even the king's power had limits. To show them that this was not the case, Canute had his throne placed on the shore and commanded the incoming tide to stop. Despite his orders, the tide continued to rise, eventually washing over his feet. Canute then turned to his courtiers and explained that even a king's power was insignificant compared to the forces of nature, and they should remember to be humble.
In a sane society, guys like that and everyone else elected for the nazis would never be able to sniff positions of influence.
But this is bavaria. you know... birthplace of naziism. there they elect only the worst. and your party doesn't exist. not that it ever got in the way of facilitating nazi evil that they could campaign against but not fix.
we are not a shithole because of trump and desantis and others. those fuckwads get elected because we are a shithole... and nothing exists to prevent it.