"The Sunshine State vs. Global Warming"

By TIM PADGETT / From TIME

This summer's record-breaking heat has put global warming at center stage — with the slew of Live Earth concerts and (enlightening information*) by Al Gore. Most Republicans, however, seem to be watching from the wings. But Florida's new GOP governor, Charlie Crist, hopes to erase that impression starting today with a major international summit in Miami on climate change, featuring California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Robert Kennedy Jr.
Global Warming

"Traditionally, this is viewed as an issue Democrats champion, but if you go back to Republicans' roots, there's a strong conservationist bent," says Crist, who also invited Teddy Roosevelt's great-grandson as a keynote speaker to remind people that a Republican founded America's national parks system. "It's important to stand up for what you believe in, regardless of party affiliation."

Since taking office in January, Crist has enlisted the bellwether Sunshine State in the Schwarzenegger-led movement to pull the party back toward the center — and few issues highlight that determination more than global warming. At the summit's close, Crist — who plans to install solar panels at the Governor's mansion in Tallahassee next week — will sign an executive order making Florida the latest of a dozen states to adopt California's stringent standards for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It requires 2009 model cars sold in Florida to cut those emissions by 25% and utilities to cut them to 1990 levels by 2025. "Look at Florida's enormous tourist industry — our economy is inextricably linked to our environment," Crist told TIME on the eve of the summit. "Imagine what rising sea levels [caused by global warming] would do to Florida. We have more coastline, almost 1,300 miles, than any state except Alaska. I happen to be a Republican, and I happen to be a Floridian, and this is something I feel strongly about."

The summit will host prominent scientists, business executives and government officials from around the world and focus on topics like emissions, forest conservation and alternative fuels. (Crist is also mandating that state-owned vehicles use biofuels like corn ethanol when possible.) But Crist, who made a point of inviting Kennedy, also hopes it will promote what he says is a sorely needed bipartisan approach on global warming, as well as provide a nudge to recalcitrant conservatives who still consider the global warming science murky or are simply opposed to the kind of measures states like California and now Florida are promulgating. The summit "should help America move forward on the issue," says Crist, "and it might encourage our friends at the federal level to do more."...

* my edit :)
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It's good to see Republicans going for a bipartisan approach. I respect Robert Kennedy Jr.'s record and eloquence on environmental matters.