Florida Republicans confronted with climate change as midterms loom

Caught between recovering from a devastating, unprecedented hurricane and an ongoing algae crisis, Florida Republicans are increasingly facing pressure to address climate change from constituents as election day draws near — but many have found themselves floundering on the issue.

REP. CARLOS CURBELO, R-FLA., SPEAKS
WITH REPORTERS AS HE LEAVES SPEAKER
 RYAN'S OFFICE ON THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018,
AS HOUSE GOP LEADERSHIP TRIES TO FIND
 A PATH TO PASS IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION.

Pressure to discuss climate change has accelerated in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, which has killed at least 21 people so far in Northwest Florida and reduced some areas in the Panhandle to rubble. Amid an election cycle that has largely centered environmental crises, all eyes are increasingly on Florida Republicans, many of whom have a lengthy history of downplaying climate change and its risks.

But when asked about the relationship between warming ocean waters and an uptick in deadly and historic hurricanes, several Republicans have tried to deflect the issue.

Read the story by E.A.Cruden from ThinkProgress - “Florida Republicans confronted with climate change as midterms loom.”