FL Gov. Crist Begins Climate Meeting Blahblah Clean Technology Blahblah Leadership Blahblah

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MIAMI -- Gov. Charlie Crist on Wednesday evoked President Kennedy's challenge to land on the moon and called for the same dedication and innovation to finding ways to save the Earth in an address that kicked off his second annual summit on climate change. The two-day meeting kicked off with the Republican governor pushing for the development of clean technology to "liberate" the country from its dependence on fossil fuels and foreign oil.

"Florida can once again launch America into the coming green technology business boom," Crist said, lauding the state's entrepreneurs. "In the past it has produced in us the talent, the desire and the resolve to make spaceflight a part of everyday life. Now it can also helps us solve the most difficult challenges of our time: How to address global climate change and how to satisfy our fuel and energy needs."

Crist has come under fire recently from environmentalists for saying he was now open to the idea of expanding oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The reversal puts him in step with Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting John McCain, for whom he has been mentioned as a possible running mate.

Crist has said skyrocketing fuel prices and concern for Floridians' pocketbooks were behind his change of heart. He reiterated that stance Wednesday in calling on the federal government to pass energy legislation.

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http://www.latimes.com/business/investing/wire/sns-bc-apfn-crist-climate-change,1,2097524.story