Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) recently deflected questions about climate change by saying, “I’m not a scientist.”
Now Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist has offered a response. He said, according to SaintPetersBlog: “I’m not a scientist either but I can use my brain and I can talk to one.”
On Friday, Crist reportedly attended a 25-minute presentation by Jeff Chanton, a professor at Florida State University who specializes in chemical oceanography and has offered to meet with Scott. Chanton discussed rising sea levels as a consequence of climate change, which scientists say threatens Florida’s infrastructure and real estate near the coastline.
Scott’s campaign dismissed the move as a publicity stunt, per SaintPetersBlog.
Crist, a former governor of the Florida who wants the job back, is a Republican turned independent turned Democrat. In 2007, he said “global climate change is one of the most important issues we face this century.”