Governor Crist Announces First Carbon-Neutral Major League Baseball Game in Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 24, 2008

CONTACT

Governor's Press Office, (850) 488-5394

Governor Crist Announces First Carbon-Neutral Major League Baseball Game in Florida

~Marlins-Rays game is the first in the Southeast to offset greenhouse gases emissions~

MIAMI - Governor Charlie Crist today announced the first carbon-neutral Major League Baseball game in the Southeast between the Florida Marlins and the Tampa Bay Rays in Miami. The Florida Marlins offset greenhouse gas emissions created by fans attending the game as well as stadium operations. The carbon-neutral games takes place on the eve of the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change, taking place June 25-26, 2008, in Miami.

"Florida continues to lead the way in addressing global climate change, from our businesses and government agencies to the popular professional sports teams that call our state home," said Governor Crist. "I commend the Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays for being good stewards of our environment."

The Florida Marlins, in partnership with Carbonfund.org and the State of Florida, has taken steps to offset the carbon footprint of the baseball game. According to the Florida Marlins, more than 440 metric tons of carbon dioxide are expected to be emitted throughout the game, generated from travel, stadium operations and lodging associated with the team and the fans expected to attend. This carbon footprint will be offset by investing in reforestation projects in the Southeast.

"We are proud to participate in this first ever Carbon Neutral game in the Southeast," said Marlins president, David Samson. "Under the leadership of Governor Crist, and our local politicians, including Mayor Carlos Alvarez and Mayor Manny Diaz, Florida has become, and will always remain, a global leader in these important environmental issues."

Last November, Florida was home to the first carbon-neutral college football game between Florida State University and the University of Florida in Gainesville. The University of Florida, in partnership with the Florida Forestry Association and Environmental Defense, offset the more than 1,750 metric ton carbon footprint of the football game by setting aside 18 acres of rural North Florida land to be managed as a pine plantation forest for 10 years.

Tonight's game takes place as the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate begins this week, June 25-26, 2008, at the Intercontinental Miami. Building on the foundation for Florida's energy future that began at last year's summit, the 2008 summit will focus on stimulating economic development in clean technologies as well as "greening" Florida's business community.

"We look forward to exploring more public-private partnerships and opportunities to secure Florida's energy future and protect our environment, our economy and our quality of life for future generations through the 2008 Serve to Preserve Summit," said Governor Crist.

The 2008 summit will bring together industry leaders, international policy makers, academics, scientists, environmentalists and the business community to explore opportunities for expanding Florida's renewable and alternative energy marketplace and greening our business community. By encouraging companies to invest in our state's energy future, Florida will transform its energy marketplace to enhance fuel diversity, lessen dependence on foreign sources of oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This year's summit furthers the policy framework established during the 2007 summit. On July 13, 2007, Governor Charlie Crist signed a series of executive orders to reduce Florida's greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, and remove market barriers for renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind energy. Since the executive orders were signed, Florida has stepped onto the world stage as a major marketplace for advanced energy technologies.

For more information on the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change, visit www.myfloridaclimate.com or www.myflorida.com.

###