This Earth Day, friend, I'm reminded of why I decided to run for Senate in the first place. In a lot of ways, this campaign is a love letter to Florida — so I hope you'll allow me to explain why.

I remember the first time I came to Florida: Having been homesick for the warmth and greenery of Ecuador, my older sister invited me to visit her in Miami, knowing that it might be the cure. She couldn't have been more right.

Stepping onto the tarmac was like stepping into paradise. Sunny, lush, and all so beautifully green — like so many others, I was instantly smitten by Florida. So as soon as I could, I packed my things and drove cross-country to make my home in paradise, too.

In the years since, I've had the privilege to not only build a beautiful life in the Sunshine State — I've dedicated my career to serving it, too.

And in the face of man-made climate change, and the politicians who willfully turn a blind eye as it destroys the natural beauty that brought me and so many others here, I had to make saving that beauty a key priority.

In Congress, I fought tirelessly to bolster the natural resilience of our delicate Everglades and wetlands from careless, profit-driven overdevelopment. I fought to fortify our world-class sandy beaches and clear blue waters, safeguard the stunning coral reefs extending along the Keys (the only living barrier reefs in the continental U.S.), and conserve the countless precious species that make Florida one of the most biodiverse states in the country.

But whether or not Republicans like Rick Scott believe in climate change,
its effects on our homes, our economy, and our future are undeniable.

Our Sunshine State is on the front lines of a veritable climate crisis. We've long felt the deadly impacts of stronger storms, hotter summers, and rising seas. And due to our unique vulnerability working families must bear the brunt of sky-rocketing property insurance premiums, while their taxes are spent rebuilding in the wake of the billion-dollar natural disasters we withstand each year, instead of used on the solutions necessary to prevent them.

But as governor, my opponent banned the use of the term “climate change” and still dismisses it as "nuisance flooding" — a convenient way to gloss over the fact that his policies were directly responsible for the devastating impacts of those floods on our communities.

"Red Tide Rick" rolled back the critical environmental protections that could've prevented the toxic algae blooms that led to massive marine animal die-offs and the poisoning of our seafood. His obsession with short-term profit has led to the destruction of not only Florida's beauty but also the robust industries and communities that depend on it to thrive.

In short, Rick Scott has left our state's future on the line — that's why this Earth Day, I'm counting on you to join me in the fight for Florida and for every community and creature that calls the Sunshine State home.

So friend, if you love our slice of paradise as much as I do, will you donate $5 (or anything you can spare) to help me defeat Rick Scott and his destructive, climate-denying agenda? I know the tides are turning blue, but they'll only stay that way if I can count on grassroots supporters like you with me in the fight for Florida's livable future.

Thank you for taking the time to read this,

Debbie