ENVIRONMENT THREATENED BY CLIMATE CHANGE

A Defining Moment for Our Environment

Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract concern—it is here, now, shaping the safety, economy, and future of our communities. From intensifying storms to rising sea levels and record-breaking heat, the warning signs are all around us. But what many people overlook is this: the direction we take is not inevitable. It is determined by public policy, and by the people we elect.

In 2026, a major shift in U.S. policy highlighted just how powerful those decisions can be. Federal action by the Trump administration and its Environmental Protection Agency reversed a long-standing scientific determination that greenhouse gases endanger public health and the environment. That change removed the legal foundation for regulating key pollutants like carbon dioxide and methane. Supporters argued it would boost economic growth and energy independence. Critics warned it could accelerate environmental damage and increase risks tied to climate change.

Compounding the impact of this act, the United States in 2025 withdrew from the Paris Agreement for a second time, further weakening international cooperation on a problem that crosses national borders.

This moment underscores a critical reality: government decisions directly shape the future of our environment.

A Deepening Divide and Difference Between U.S. Political Parties

For decades, climate science steadily built a consensus that human activity contributes to global warming. At the same time, political divisions over how to respond have intensified. Today, environmental policy reflects fundamentally different visions for the country.

The Democratic Party supports stronger federal action to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources and strengthen environmental protections

Conversely, the Republican Party, emphasizes deregulation, expanded fossil fuel production, reliance on future technological solutions and withdrawal from all international agreements on climate change management.

These competing approaches determine whether emissions are reduced or increased, whether clean energy expands or stalls, and whether environmental protections are strengthened or weakened.

What’s at Stake

The consequences of these choices are already visible. The past decade has been the warmest on record. Communities across the country are facing more extreme weather, stronger hurricanes, longer droughts, more intense wildfires, and rising seas that threaten homes and infrastructure.

At the same time, the global economy is rapidly shifting. Renewable energy technologies like solar and wind are becoming more affordable and widespread. Nations investing in clean energy are positioning themselves for long-term growth, while also reducing environmental risks.

But progress is not automatic. It depends on leadership, and leadership depends on voters.

The Florida Regulatory Climate and Perspective

In states like Florida, the risks are especially clear. Coastal flooding, hurricane damage, and rising insurance costs are affecting families and businesses today. Decisions about land use, infrastructure, and environmental protection are not just policy debates, they are matters of economic survival and public safety. Detracting from the urgently needed focus, are actions such as the 2024 legislation, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, that removed many references to “climate change” from Florida statutes and energy policy.

The Power of Your Vote

Every election shape environmental policy in real and lasting ways. Elected officials decide:

• Whether pollution is regulated or allowed to increase
• How energy is produced and what sources are prioritized
• How much is invested in clean energy and infrastructure
• Whether the United States leads, or falls behind, in global climate efforts

These decisions affect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the stability of our climate.

Choosing not to vote does not mean opting out, it means allowing others to decide for you.

An Urgent Decision for Voters

The stakes could not be higher. The policies enacted today will determine the condition of our environment for decades to come. Delay and inaction carry real costs, these being economic, environmental, and human.

Learn where candidates stand on environmental protection, climate policy, and sustainable growth. Support leaders, policies, and laws that prioritize the protection of our natural resources and the long-term health of our communities.

Call to Action

Register to Vote by Mail (or consider early voting) to ensure your voice is heard and support Democrats who will protect the environment. The future of climate policy and the planet will depend in large part on those actions.

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