TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – City commissioners in South Miami want to break up the state into two separate Floridas. Their proposal isn't as crazy as it sounds because it centers around the highly debated issue of climate change.
The proposed border of North and South Florida would be Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Orange and Brevard counties. City officials said the idea of a split has been tossed around for 60 years.
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South Miami is hot about North Florida. So much so, they want the two Floridas to break up.
"The real issue for separation is the absolute reality of climate change," said South Miami Vice Mayor Walter Harris. "Global warming, rising sea levels, this is no longer political."
Environmental concerns led to the city commission to pass a resolution in favor of a split by a vote of 3-2.
"We can't wait any longer. It won't be easy but the alternative will be even more difficult," said Harris.
The proposal would basically split the state down the middle. South Florida, the proposed 51st state, would consist of about 24 counties.
The southern counties contain a majority of the population and a majority of revenue contributors. Susan Glickman, with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said this should send a message to lawmakers who have yet to act.
"This should be a wake up call to lawmakers to say that we need to take a look at this serious issue," said Glickman. "We need to start now because energy decisions made now are going to impact us into the future."
Climate solutions have been a surprising issue dogging Florida's governor leading up to November's election. Gov. Rick Scott has met with scientists after claiming he wasn't one. More than 90,000 signatures were delivered to his office earlier this week from parents and kids pressing for environmental answers.
"Just this year we've experienced six of the seven hottest months in the history of temperature," said Susan Mcleod, who delivered petitions.
The split would need statewide approval and then ultimately the approval of Congress.