On Monday, one of the most prominent members of the Florida congressional delegation called on President Donald Trump to reverse his decision on having the U.S. reject the Paris Climate Accord.
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., who sits on both the U.S. House Budget and the Ways and Means Committee, doubled down on his call for the U.S. to continue operating under the accord, noting that Syria and Nicaragua have now joined, making the U.S. the only country to reject the agreement.
Back in May, Buchanan first urged the White House to continue to follow the agreement.
“I strongly encourage the president to remain in the Paris climate accord,” Buchanan said at the end of May. “Climate change is a serious issue, especially for a state like Florida that has two coastlines vulnerable to rising waters. Only Syria and Nicaragua are not part of the 198-country agreement, which lays out voluntary goals for reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
“Our withdrawal would send the wrong message to the world. Protecting the environment and growing the economy are not mutually exclusive,” Buchanan added. “We should be doing everything we can to accomplish both.”
On Monday, Buchanan insisted climate change will have a major impact on the Sunshine State.
“Climate change is a serious threat, especially for a state like Florida that has two coastlines vulnerable to rising waters,” Buchanan said, “There is a reason why 196 nations across the globe support this voluntary and non-binding agreement.”
Buchanan also weighed in on how climate change can impact the economy. With more than three decades in the private sector, including serving as chairman of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and the Florida State Chamber of Commerce and serving on the board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Buchanan is generally seen as an ally of the business community.
“Protecting the environment and growing the economy are not mutually exclusive,” Buchanan said. “We should be doing everything we can to accomplish both.”
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