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February was the coldest month on record for several states, but here in Florida former employees of the Department of Environment Protection say the term climate change is banned in reports and presentations. A former state employee says a shift in terminology began with Rick Scott’s election.

Rick Scott made national news with this statement when asked about climate change.

“I am not a scientist” said the Governor on May 14, 2014.

Now former employees of the Department of Environmental Protection claim in published reports they were not allowed to use the term climate change.

Others says there was no memo…just an understanding.

Craig Diamond worked for the Department of Community Affairs. He says his agency, which used to manage growth before being abolished in 2011 was making a subtle shift to the term sea level rise.

“To the extent that not using the term climate change pulled the rug out from under a program, I don’t see that as looming large. But, it takes away from the credibility a little bit. People say why are you doing this? Well, we can’t really tell you, but we are responding to something that’s out there” says the now consultant.

Vivian, not her real name is an attorney. In the middle of a job interview late last year with the Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, Vivian says was asked her opinion on climate change. “And I was quite surprised. I, ah, its almost like asking your religion in a way almost, but I didn’t want to lie.”

She didn’t get the job.

David Guest, is a critic of DEP and Rick Scott.

“And what this administration has done makes Florida the laughing stock of the entire country.”

A search of the DEP web site for the term climate change did turn up more than 1600 posts. Many were from before Rick Scott took office.

Both the Governor’s Office and DEP returned our calls this afternoon and say the allegations the phrase “Climate Change” has been banned are “simply not true.”