Charlie Crist

To save the planet. It’s that simple, it’s that important to me. I feel a sense of duty and stewardship to do everything I can. I’ve been given this great blessing to be the governor of this magnificent state. I didn’t get elected to mark time, I got elected to make a difference, and I think this is one of the most important issues of our time. We have an opportunity to do what’s right to protect God’s work.

In your 2006 campaign for governor, environmentalists backed your opponent. Now they’re calling you one of the most important climate leaders in the nation. Would you say you’ve had a “conversion moment” in the last couple years on climate change?

Probably on climate change, yeah, but certainly not on the environment. As a young state senator back in the early ’90s, I sponsored a net ban in Florida to protect our fishery stock. I sponsored a bill to have propeller guards on outboard motors to protect manatees and dolphins.

The climate-change issue, specifically, is one that I’ve tried to learn a great deal about in the past few years, and that’s led me to where I am today.

Have you heard much from your constituents about climate change? Do you think Floridians are more worried about the problem than folks in other parts of the country?

That’s probable. Look at us: we’re this giant peninsula that sticks out between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s obvious to me, and I think most Floridians, that we’re the state that is the most susceptible to climate change, particularly rising sea levels. That creates an even greater sense of urgency for me.{...}

But it really goes back to Teddy Roosevelt for me, as a Republican — here was a guy 100 years ago who understood the importance of conservation: protecting the environment, establishing our national park system. He’s a hero to me. Robert Kennedy Jr. is a hero to me, and so is Teddy Roosevelt IV, who carries on the tradition of his family.

Environmentalists applauded your support of the Florida utilities commission when it rejected a big, new coal-burning power plant this summer. What’s your position on coal, both traditional coal and so-called “clean coal”?

I’m not a fan [laughs], just to put it lightly.