Sen. Carey Baker shifted in his seat as soon as the scientist started talking. The Eustis Republican put his face in his hand, shook his head, raised his eyebrows and whispered to Sen. Ted Deutch, a Democrat, seated next to him. Baker couldn’t stand it any more, this talk of global warming:

"Before I jump out of my seat," he said, stopping UF professor Stephen Mulkey from talking to a committee assembled to hear a Century Commission report. "I think this is very controversial."

Never mind Gov. Crist last week called global climate change "one of the most important issues that we will face this century." Global warming, Baker said, is controversial. And Century's guidelines are to "think long-term...without getting caught up in today’s controversies," and to "make recommendations based on factual data."

"I think what (Mulkey) is presenting is by no way considered fact," Baker said. The scientist said he wasn't especially surprised. But Deutch couldn't help poke a little fun. "Call me later," he called out to Baker after the meeting. "I want to have a word with you about Darwin."