This summer, Miami joined cities across the state in pledging to lower its greenhouse gas emissions in order to stave off the worst impacts of climate change, which could swamp Florida’s coasts with a few feet of sea rise by mid-century.
But Miami’s plan, like others across the state, was weakened by a set of new state laws that block municipalities from regulating fossil fuels in their own communities, as well as direct lobbying from the fossil fuel industry, Miami Herald reporting found.
The laws are part of a wave of gas industry-supported (and in Florida’s case, literally written) bills that are sweeping the nation in response to efforts from cities to tamp down on their emissions. So far, 19 states have passed similar legislation, with another five states considering the bills this year.
Read more at our news partner the Miami Herald and listen to the full episode below.
