"Ultimately we’re going to have to reduce carbon emissions to reduce warming and its effects," Florida Chief Science Officer Thomas Frazer said Tuesday before a speech in Sarasota.

SARASOTA — Florida’s new chief science officer spoke about the need to reduce nutrient pollution that is contributing to water quality problems and reduce carbon emissions that are warming the planet during a swing through Sarasota Tuesday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis created the position of chief science officer shortly after being sworn in, and University of Florida professor Thomas Frazer is the first person to hold the job.

Frazer, who has a Ph.D. in biological sciences, primarily has been tasked with addressing water quality issues, which he described during a speech to The Argus Foundation Tuesday as "probably the most pressing problem in our state."

But Frazer also made it clear that climate change is a big problem that needs to be addressed, and reducing carbon emissions is critical. That’s a message that has not been heard out of the executive branch in Florida in nearly a decade.

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Asked in an interview before his speech what kind of advice he would offer DeSantis when it comes to the science behind climate change, Frazer did not mince words.

"I have congressional testimony that says: ‘Hey, climate change is real, and humans are responsible for it, and ultimately we’re going to have to reduce carbon emissions to reduce warming and its effects,’" Frazer said.

DeSantis has made efforts to address the impacts of climate change. He appointed a chief resilience officer to help prepare the state for sea level rise.

Legislation also has been filed to establish a state Office of Resiliency within the governor’s office.

But environmental advocates worry that the state is doing nothing to curb carbon emissions.

"Climate change and sea level rise are big issues for Florida … I think the governor recognizes that," Frazer said.

Water quality has been more of a focus for DeSantis, though.

Florida has experienced a series of devastating algae blooms that have harmed the environment and the economy.

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DeSantis campaigned on fixing the algae problem. This year he has endorsed two bills that would enact more stringent environmental regulations, including SB 712, which has been dubbed the "Clean Waterways Act."

Frazer called SB 712 "one of the most environmentally progressive pieces of legislation that we’ve seen in over a decade. As a scientist, that’s pretty rewarding to me."

The legislation puts forward a range of new initiatives to combat the flow of excess nutrients into waterways from stormwater systems, septic tanks, sewer lines and agricultural runoff. But some environmental groups complain that the bill already has been weakened.

The legislation is set to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee this week.

He said he realizes there are "negotiations in the Legislature, and I’m going to let the politicians kind of hammer that out."

Frazer added that he’s hopeful the "core elements" of the bill will remain intact.