MIAMI - Environmentalists hoping to prevent climate change have another powerful Republican advocate in Gov. Charlie Crist, who Thursday opened a two-day summit that launches him into a leadership role on an issue Democrats have championed more vocally. Crist opened his "Serve to Preserve" event with a promise that Florida will lower carbon dioxide emissions and make use of alternative energy sources.
Crist said the flat peninsular state has much to lose should ocean levels rise and a lot to gain if it takes a lead in developing renewable energy technologies. "Droughts, endangered agriculture, violent storms and changing sea levels - their impact on Florida's economy are just a few of the reasons why we must take action now," Crist said. "We must search for and put in practice climate friendly strategies for our families, our communities and of course our state.
" Crist will be joined Friday by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, another Republican who has pushed environmental causes. Crist will also sign executive orders that will require utilities to lower carbon dioxide emissions and force state agencies to conserve energy and use biofuels when possible.
"They're blazing a trail for the Republican Party," said Schwarzenegger spokesman Adam Mendelsohn. "For a long time people perceived this to be a Democratic issue, plus Gov. Crist is also trying to lead by personal example.
His day-to-day vehicle runs on 85 percent ethanol and he's installing solar panels at the governor's mansion next week. He recently bought a new boat and made sure he chose an engine that is more fuel efficient and burns cleaner. "I turn the lights off when I leave the room," he added.
"They seem like simple, menial things, but they're not. If everybody does it, that's better." Crist also appeared with rock singer Sheryl Crow and Laurie David, who produced former Vice President Al Gore's movie "An Inconvenient Truth," at a climate change rally in Gainesville last spring - ignoring the fact that Crow and David actively support Democratic candidates.
"I sort of get categorized as a Hollywood liberal and for a Republican to stand up with (us) is a powerful statement," David said about the event. She was impressed that Crist not only sat with her and Crow at a press conference, but stayed for Crow's concert, took questions from the crowd and promised before thousands of advocates to do something on the issue. "He made some big pronouncements that day and it looks like he's following through on them.
He put himself out there in a big way," David said. "It looks like he's going to be one of the biggest governors out there on this issue, Democrat or Republican." Jeb Bush, was criticized by environmentalists for not doing more to promote renewable energy.
Likewise, critics say Bush's brother, President Bush, hasn't taken the issue seriously. MIAMI - Environmentalists hoping to prevent climate change have another powerful Republican advocate in Gov.
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