Alachua County, Florida, pushes ahead with climate action despite state resistance

Alachua County is forging its own climate resilience path while Florida’s state government actively undermines such efforts.

Sachi Kitajima Mulkey reports for Grist.

In short:

• Alachua County is developing a climate action plan to address extreme heat, hurricanes and flooding, despite statewide restrictions on discussing climate change.
• Governor Ron DeSantis’ policies, such as preemptive state laws and blocking federal funds, have hindered local climate initiatives.
• Gainesville and Alachua County face challenges with energy policy after a state-appointed board took control of their public utility.

Key quote:

“We can’t control our climate action initiatives unless we control our power source.”

— John “Ronnie” Nix, local citizen climate advisory committee member

Why this matters:

While Florida experiences increasing climate threats, state policies hinder local governments from protecting residents. Alachua County’s struggle shows the tension between urgent climate action and political obstacles, underscoring the need for local resilience strategies.

Related: DeSantis eliminates climate change from Florida's energy policy