Most Recent Environmental Issues

Gillum told the audience in Tallahassee on Wednesday that Florida has the most property at risk from climate change. | AP Photo

TALLAHASSEE — Andrew Gillum, in his Democratic bid for Florida governor on Wednesday, criticized President Donald Trump's expected announcement that he will withdraw the U.S. from the Paris accord, and said the president and Gov. Rick Scott had done more to "bury their heads in the sand" on the climate change issue.

Following a speech to the Capital Tiger Bay Club, the Tallahassee mayor also said former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, who on Tuesday announced environmental endorsements in her rival Democratic bid, will have to answer for her 2015 vote in Congress in support of the Keystone XL pipeline. But Gillum during his remarks focused on Scott and the 2015 accusation that his administration banned use of the phrase "climate change."

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"While Governor Scott has turned his back on health care, he and Donald Trump have done even more to bury their heads in the sand when it comes climate change, " Gillum said. "The governor banned use of the term 'climate change' in state documents. It is well-recorded in these parts, despite the fact that Florida is at the epicenter — the epicenter of climate change."

News reports in 2015 quoted state Department of Environmental Protection employees saying there was an unwritten policy prohibiting use of the terms "climate change" and "sea-level rise." But Scott and DEP officials denied there was such a policy.

After saying in 2014, in response to climate change questions, that he is "not a scientist, " Scott since then has said instead he is "focused on solutions" and cited state spending on other environmental issues, such as Everglades restoration.

And he noted that Trump pulling out of the Paris agreement puts the U.S. in the company of Nicaragua and Syria as the only nations not participating.

"Instead of burying our heads in the sand, we should go down to Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, where on a non-rain day they are closing down the street due to high tide, " he said. "Make no mistake — climate change is happening, and it is threatening our state's future."

On Tuesday, Graham announced she received endorsements from 1000 Friends of Florida founder Nathaniel Reed, Florida Wildlife Federation president Manley Fuller and former state House Speaker Jon Mills, an Everglades Foundation board member. POLITICO Florida reported earlier today that her campaign received a $50, 000 contribution from James Finch, a Panama City builder who had been hit with large fines from environmental regulators.

Graham was criticizing Scott's environmental record for nearly a year before announcing her bid for governor earlier this month. Like Gillum and Democrats in Florida's congressional delegation, Graham issued a statement criticizing the Trump administration's decision.

"We are out of time — from stronger storms to prolonged droughts and raging wildfires, Florida is feeling the direct effects of climate change today, " Graham said. "While the rest of the world moves forward, the United States under Trump and Florida under Rick Scott are in reverse."

Asked by POLITICO Florida about the environmental endorsements, Gillum said he applauds Graham, but added, "Gwen Graham is going to be held accountable for her record."

"I disagree with Keystone Pipeline — she voted for it, " Gillum said. "Those environmentalists will have to reconcile why it is they think that pipeline was [not] good for the rest of the country but now makes it a qualifier for governor of Florida."

“I’m supporting this pipeline with the expectation it will be built as one of the safest in the world, ” Graham said in a 2015 statement. “Democrats and Republicans came together to pass this legislation, now we must continue to work together to protect our country’s natural resources.”