Republican presidential contender Ron DeSantis denounced climate alarmism and emphasized ramping up America’s energy dominance during a campaign speech on Wednesday at a Texas oil rig site. DeSantis’ speech came at a pivotal time, given his flailing poll numbers in recent weeks.
The Florida governor claimed he would, if elected, oppose the expansion of America’s electric vehicle industry and significantly increase domestic fossil fuel production. He also expressed his intent to roll back certain environmental regulations and withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, which is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
DeSantis said concerns about climate change are “driven by ideology” and that we are “safer than ever from climate disasters.” As evidence, the governor pointed to the death rate in climate-related disasters, which he said “has declined by 98 percent over the last hundred years.” The main reason, he argued, is that Americans have had increasingly better access to electricity and power.
The governor also sought to remind the American people of the strategic importance of achieving energy dominance when dealing with global competitors such as China and Russia.
“We will use our energy dominance to deny our enemies revenue,” DeSantis said. “We will bankrupt their ability to threaten America and we will help our allies become less reliant on our adversaries.”
RELATED: