Unless Florida acts now to avert climate change, the state and its economy will suffer ever more severe drought, destructive fires, endangered agriculture, violent storms, and rising sea levels, warned Governor Charlie Crist Thursday addressing participants at the Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change.

Today, Governor Crist, a Republican, concluded the summit by signing three executive orders directing cuts in Florida's greenhouse gas emissions and increases in energy efficiency. Under the new policy, Florida will pursue renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, as well as alternative energy such as ethanol and hydrogen.

The governor also signed partnership agreements with Germany and the United Kingdom to discuss and promote initiatives that broaden the Kyoto Protocol and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases beyond 2012 when the protocol expires.