Florida’s hottest climate and aging population are facing increasing heat-related health risks, but state policy shaped by Governor Ron DeSantis resists comprehensive action.
Nada Hassanein reports for Stateline.
In short:
- Florida, the hottest state in the U.S., has no statewide plan to address heat-related health risks linked to climate change.
- Local governments and nonprofits are stepping in to fill the gaps left by state policy, though they lack sufficient resources.
- Governor DeSantis has blocked measures that address climate change, focusing instead on limited efforts to manage sea level rise.
Key quote:
“We must adapt to the warming climate, but the decisions we make right now, not addressing the root cause of the problem, is really unacceptable. You cannot adapt your way out of climate change.”
— Susan Glickman, vice president of policy and partnerships at the CLEO Institute
Why this matters:
Florida’s vulnerability to climate change endangers public health, especially for its older population. Without comprehensive state action, these risks will likely worsen, leaving local efforts insufficient to meet growing challenges.
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