DeSantis Statue Melts in Climate Protest

A life-sized statue of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis melted in Tallahassee on October 13, as a climate advocacy group made a statement about his stance on climate change.

The statue, titled 'DENIAL,' was installed by the climate advocacy group 350 Action in front of a crowd of DeSantis supporters. The statue, made of gallium, began to melt soon after its installation, highlighting the elected official's longstanding rejection of climate change.

The placard accompanying the statue quoted DeSantis' 2018 proclamation, 'I am not a global warming person,' and referenced his 2024 signing of House Bill 1645. This energy law removed the phrase 'climate change' from Florida statutes and ended requirements for state agencies to prioritize climate-friendly facilities, among other rollbacks.

A spokesperson for 350 Action stated that the melting statue aimed to show the public the reality of climate change, contrasting with the state legislation that removed references to it. The spokesperson emphasized that the physical laws of nature cannot be denied, and the public record cannot be argued with.

The incident occurred as Floridians prepare to vote for DeSantis' successor on November 3.

CONTEXT: This event underscores the ongoing debate surrounding climate change policy and the political stance on environmental issues in Florida, highlighting the tension between climate advocacy and government policies.