TV weather forecaster criticizes Florida's new "Don't Mention Climate Change" legislation during sweltering temperatures.
"Florida is the focus of the world in terms of climate change, as many people look to this state for leadership on this issue," MacLaughlin remarked during a segment on May 18th. "However, the government has stated that climate change is not a priority anymore."
This statement from MacLaughlin is relevant as South Florida experiences exceptionally high temperatures for the month of May, causing the national weather service to issue a heat advisory - the first of its kind in 15 years. In fact, this May has been the hottest on record for most parts of South Florida.
A week prior to this segment, Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis had signed a contentious bill that erased several mentions of climate change from the state's laws. MacLaughlin referred to this bill as "Don't Say Climate Change" in his Instagram post. The bill brought changes to Florida's energy policy, in some cases deleting entire sections about the importance of reducing planet-warming pollution. It also granted preferential treatment to fossil fuels, while banning offshore wind energy despite no planned wind farms off the coast of Florida.
The bill removed the word "climate" eight times, typically in relation to cutting fossil fuel emissions through energy policy or instructing state agencies to purchase "climate-friendly" products when they were cost-effective and accessible.
"It's essential to remember that the strongest solution to climate change is within your grasp right now - the ability to vote," MacLaughlin urged. "We will not tell you who to vote for, but we do urge you to thoroughly research and be aware that there are candidates who believe in climate change and have solutions, as well as candidates who don't."
Several TV meteorologists applauded MacLaughlin for making such a powerful statement, especially during a period when climate communicators, journalists, meteorologists, and national weather services have reported a rise in harassment, threats, and abuse for connecting extreme weather events to climate change.
"It's not easy for a meteorologist to make such a statement, as there is significant pressure not to venture into these climate-related issues," Jeff Berardelli, the chief meteorologist at WFLA in Tampa Bay, said in response to MacLaughlin's Instagram post, which has garnered over 350,000 views. "Congratulations to Steve for being brave and truthful."
In 2021, a chief meteorologist at an Iowa news station resigned after facing a barrage of threatening emails from disgruntled viewers.
"We are living in unique times where courage is needed," John Morales, a certified consulting meteorologist at ClimaData and former chief meteorologist at NBC Miami, said on Instagram, urging his colleagues to speak up on this issue.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
