TALLAHASSEE – With one Florida coastal city rejecting a push by environmentalists to pursue climate change litigation, Florida Chamber of Commerce executive David Hart observed that lawsuits against energy producers are not the right way to resolve coastal erosion challenges.
“Our foundation just completed a pretty extensive multimillion dollar multiyear research project called '2030' and in that body of research, we talk a lot about the importance of resilient communities and making sure the state is prepared for things like hurricanes and impacts of weather to our state,” Hart said. “So I think we’re very attuned to it as Floridians, but I also don’t think a lawsuit is the answer to everything.”
Municipalities, counties, and even states have filed suits against oil and gas companies, including giants such as Exxon, claiming the companies knew that burning fossil fuels contributed to damaging climate change, but concealed the information.
David Hart, executive vice president of government and political relations for the Florida Chamber of Commerce
Last October, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission heard from Earthrights International (ERI), a Washington D.C.-based environmental advocacy group involved in a number of similar suits in various parts of the country.
"We have no intention of filing a lawsuit," Alain E. Boileau, city attorney, told the Florida Record after the city was asked for an update following last October's presentation.
Some city officials have said, however, that their 165 miles of canals, which serve as a drainage system, are no longer effective against rising seas and heavier rainfalls