Bill Day's latest: Rick Scott's Florida-shaped salt-water pool

BILL DAY SALT WATER

Gov. Rick Scott’s “unwritten rule” banning certain words in his administration did not stop with the term “climate change.”

Scott also prohibited the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from using the terms “global warming” and “sea-level rise.” The governor would prefer the latter be called “nuisance flooding.”

No matter what you call it, sea-level rise is more than a nuisance, and is expected to threaten nearly one-third of the state’s beaches within the next 85 years.

As editorial cartoonist Bill Day sees it, that doesn’t matter to Scott, who sees the Sunshine State is one big, Florida-shaped salt-water pool, where the water is fine and everyone is welcome for a swim.

And nobody has to worry about “those words.”

As accepted science worldwide, climate change, global warming — or whatever term you choose — refers to an expansive and growing body of scientific evidence showing the planet’s environment is warming from human activity, deforestation and burning fossil fuels.

Nevertheless, Scott joined the handful of conservative politicians who remain skeptical, insisting the science is inconclusive. They stubbornly resist legislation that addresses the issue in any way. With them, a carbon tax or public policy encouraging sustainable energy is costly and burdensome to conventional industries.

In 2014, when asked his views on climate change, Scott famously responded he “was not a scientist.”

Last year, Scott agreed to meet with a group of Floridians (who are scientists) who sought to educate the governor about the knowledge behind climate change.

It took only 30 minutes before Scott abruptly ended the meeting.

Scott may not be a scientist, but apparently, he is not much of a student either.

BILL DAY SALT WATER

Phil Ammann

Phil Ammann is a Tampa Bay-area journalist, editor and writer. With more than three decades of writing, editing, reporting and management experience, Phil produced content for both print and online, in addition to founding several specialty websites, including HRNewsDaily.com. His broad range includes covering news, local government, entertainment reviews, marketing and an advice column. Phil has served as editor and production manager for Extensive Enterprises Media since 2013 and lives in Tampa with his wife, visual artist Margaret Juul. He can be reached on Twitter @PhilAmmann or at [email protected].



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