Target: Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida
Goal: Support and invest in climate proposals to reduce risk of life-threatening storms.
In the most optimistic scenario, Hurricane Ian will cause mass evacuations, school and business closures, flight cancellations, and an overall major disruption to the lives of Floridians. At its potential worst, though, this rapidly strengthening storm could flood vulnerable regions with punishing rain and feet-high storm surges, batter communities with winds well past 100 miles-per-hour, and spawn dangerous tornadoes. As the hurricane is expected to take a slow trek across Florida, property damage and loss of life could reach disastrous levels, both on the coast and inland.
Scientists have long predicted a rapid-fire increase of such superstorms because of warming oceans. When water is too warm, it acts as a mega-charger for tropical storms, fueling both their intensity (especially wind intensity) and the speed with which they develop. Since the seas have taken on over 90 percent of climate change-induced global warming, they have become an incubator for monster storms. This reality is evident in the fact that Category 4 or 5 hurricanes have doubled globally in the past 30 years.
As a peninsula surrounded by water, Florida is and will remain in the line of fire. The state should be devoting resources to fighting the existential climate crisis, but instead its governor is busy using taxpayer money for political stunts like bussing immigrants in Texas. Sign the petition below to demand this so-called leader get his priorities straight.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Governor DeSantis,
Florida will soon see its first major hurricane in some time, Governor, but rest assured it will not be the last. We do not yet know the damage—both overt and in human suffering—that will result. We do know, however, that state funds provided by taxpayers that should go to the aftermath and to preventing such future tragedies are instead being diverted to Texas.
You rail against the federal government and the “border crisis” while asking for federal aid and ignoring the very real crises that are befalling the people you represent. Money that should be reserved for the people of Florida should not be going towards the cause of your political grandstanding. Even as you acknowledge that climate change is contributing to these disasters, you still can’t let go of politicizing the issue by vowing not to do “any left-wing stuff” to address this crisis. You will not even set a standard for carbon emissions reduction.
To use one of your favorite words, adapt before it is too late. Bring together a panel of scientists, free of politics, and actually listen to them. Invest in a battle plan against the climate crisis that has your state firmly in its crosshairs. Invest in the future, not the political poison of the past.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: NASA
295 Signatures