Fla. Official Repeatedly Says ‘Climate Change’ When Asked About Alleged Ban

Gov. Rick Scott talks to reporters during a news conference after visiting the Terrapin Island dredge at PortMiami, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, in Miami. Scott is touring the dredging operation at Miami's port that is gear... Gov. Rick Scott talks to reporters during a news conference after visiting the Terrapin Island dredge at PortMiami, Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, in Miami. Scott is touring the dredging operation at Miami's port that is geared to handle larger ships soon to be passing through a widened Panama Canal. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) MORE LESS
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A Florida official on Wednesday repeated the phrase “climate change” during a state senate committee hearing in an attempt to prove that the Florida government does not ban its employees form using terms like “climate change” and “global warming.”

Jonathan Steverson, the former director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District, was appointed by Republican Gov. Rick Scott (pictured above) in December as secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

During his confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee, Democratic state Sen. Darren Soto asked Steverson about the reports that the Florida government banned its officials from using terms like “climate change” in official communications.

“Climate change. Climate change. Climate change,” Steverson responded, according to the News Service of Florida. “There, I said it three times. There is absolutely no policy against discussing climate change at the department. In fact, we have multiple programs related to climate change.”

Steverson said he supports the new budget for the Florida Forever land acquisition, which he said includes programs to address climate change.

He added that the earth’s climate is always changing, but did not mention whether he believes human activity contributes to climate change.

“But certainly, climate change is always happening. It’s always changing,” he said, according to the News Service of Florida. “And we know sea-level rise is real and we are working not only with the water management districts but the Department of Economic Opportunity and with Game and Fish to address those concerns.”

Florida officials have denied that the “climate change” ban exists. However, in video that went viral last month, Bryan Koon, the Florida chief of emergency management, repeatedly dodged the term term “climate change” at a state senate hearing.

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