Melting statue of Ron DeSantis unveiled in climate protest

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 12:08 · Archive

A life-sized statue of Florida governor Ron DeSantis, cast from gallium, melted to reveal a skull beneath as a climate protest in Tallahassee.

A melting statue of Florida governor Ron DeSantis was unveiled in Tallahassee last week as a protest against his climate record. The life-sized statue was cast from gallium, a metal with a melting point of 29.8°C, which is below typical summer temperatures in the city. As intended, the statue's face melted away during and after the unveiling on 13 October, revealing a skull underneath.

The installation was titled 'DENIAL' and created by a collaboration between 350 Action, Uncommon Creative Studio, and production company M ss ng P eces. A plaque beneath it bore DeSantis's name, his tenure from 2019 to 2027, and his quote: 'I am not a global warming person.'

During his eight years as governor, DeSantis has consistently opposed climate action, blocking municipalities from reducing emissions and removing terms like 'climate change' from Florida state law. In 2024 he signed legislation, known as HB 1645, that removed 'climate change' from Florida statutes, banned offshore and near-coastal wind turbines, and shifted the state away from cutting carbon emissions. Southern Florida faces particular threats from sea-level rise and increasingly severe hurricanes, prompting several major insurers to exit the state entirely.

How it is being reported

• Statue of melting Ron DeSantis unveiled taking aim at climate change denialThe life-size statue’s face has melted away to reveal a skull underneathIndependent World · 20 Oct, 11:39
• Protesters unveil melting Ron DeSantis statue to signify his inaction on climate crisisFlorida governor has consistently opposed any legislation to curb planet-heating emissions, calling it a ‘radical climate agenda’ A life-sized statue of Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor, was unveiled and promptly began melting in front of an audience in Tallahassee in a symbolic protest at his rejection of action on the climate crisis. The silvery statue, revealed to an audience of onlookers last week, melted away to show a skull under DeSantis’ face. The structure was cast from solid gallium, a metal that melts at 85.6F (29.8C), which is below summertime high temperatures frequently…Guardian World · 19 Oct, 20:22

In this story: Ron DeSantis · Florida · Tallahassee · 350 Action · Uncommon Creative Studio

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