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Does Gov. DeSantis believe in climate change?

At the end of the press conference, a reporter asked if the governor believes the scientists who say humans cause climate change. DeSantis' response? “Next question."
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tours the area’s waterways Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Vester Marine and Environmental Research Field Station in Bonita Springs, Fla., where he signed an executive order addressing problems with algae that have plagued the state.
Andrew West Fort Myers News-Press via AP
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tours the area’s waterways Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Vester Marine and Environmental Research Field Station in Bonita Springs, Fla., where he signed an executive order addressing problems with algae that have plagued the state. Andrew West Fort Myers News-Press via AP
Published Jan. 11, 2019

At a press conference Friday morning, Gov. Ron DeSantis took questions from reporters on topics ranging from his latest appointments to the South Florida Water Management District to Thursday's robust environmental policy addressed in an executive order.

The newly minted governor addressed each question fully but when it came to climate change, he danced around his words. DeSantis angered environmentalists on the campaign trail after he repeatedly dismissed climate change as a real threat.

"We put in the executive over that as climate changes, as our environment changes, as water rises in places like South Florida and there's increased flooding, we want to make sure that we're taking the steps that we can to combat that," he said.

DeSantis then referred to the part of the executive order that establishes a resiliency office to address climate impacts.

"To me, I'm not as concerned about what is the sole cause. If you have water in the streets, you have to find a way to combat that," he said. "We're going to work to do that and I think this office will be able to coordinate a thoughtful response."

At the end of the press conference, a reporter asked if the governor believes the scientists who say humans cause climate change.

DeSantis' response?

"Next question."