Ron DeSantis, Florida’s Republican governor, is in the limelight as he briefs residents on the arrival of Hurricane Milton. Less than some days after Floridians got hit by the deadly Hurricane Helene, the state is encountering Milton, a category 5 storm.
DeSantis is as the Governor of the state responsible for implementing the emergency plan by coordinating agencies, marshaling resources and urging people to pay attention to evacuation orders. But several activists are stressing that it is a role he is unfit to play.
The campaigners are concerned over the Governor’s record on the climate crisis. They say his policies to ignore global heating, boost fossil fuels and suppress carbon-free energy have fueled climate change that has made such hurricanes more frequent and intense.
“You … are despicable for running nonsense stories”
Hurricanes are becoming more dangerous due to the climate crisis, triggered primarily by the burning of fossil fuels. The brutal climate emergency has turned into one of the greatest threats humans have ever faced as it continues to elevate temperatures and cause bigger disasters.
In a response to the criticism from environmentalists, Julia Friedland, Florida Governor’s deputy press secretary, said: “You, and your publication, are despicable for running nonsense stories like this the day a major hurricane is making landfall in Florida.”
Ron DeSantis’s apparent opposition to climate action started early in his career. During his run for president in the 2024 Republican primary, he also made controversial promises of ramping up domestic oil and gas production and fending off electric vehicle mandates.
