The Paw Print

By Alexa Gola, Associate News and Features Editor

“I’m Maxwell Alejandro Frost, and I’m proud to be the first member of my generation in Congress. I’m also proud to represent central Florida,” said Rep. Maxwell Frost, introducing himself on the final night of the Democratic National Convention. His choice to highlight his youth and constituency was a meaningful one, as Frost took the stage under a banner of “For The Climate,” in addition to the night’s broader theme of “For Our Future.”

The convention crowd roared their approval, but Frost got right to business, not pausing for the applause to quiet before continuing his speech. “You might expect me to talk about how climate change will impact our future,” he said, acknowledging the night’s theme, “But as a Floridian, as a Florida man, I’m here to tell you that the climate crisis isn’t some far off threat. It is here.”

Rep. Frost continued, explaining how he had walked among communities devastated by hurricanes, saying that they were forced to rebuild after flooding destroyed their homes. He told the crowd how he has heard stories about immigrant farm workers who have been forced to work in “horrid conditions exacerbated by this crisis,” and, as a Floridian, “felt the scorching, record heat” himself. 

Since emphasizing the gravity of the situation and acknowledging the climate crisis can often feel like an “unstoppable force” well outside of our control, Frost also made a case for hope.

“With our movement, and with organizing, and with an administration that cares, we are making progress,” he said. He highlighted the work done by the Biden-Harris administration, saying that in addition to demonstrating that working to stop climate change creates jobs for the American people, they’ve also shown that “investing in clean energy protects our health, and that investing in mass public transit helps build strong communities.” Frost additionally insisted on the patriotism of battling the climate crisis. 

“When you love somebody, you want them to have clean air. When you love somebody, you want them to have safe drinking water. And when you love somebody, you want them to have a dignified job,” Rep. Frost said, calling on Americans everywhere to do their part for their country and loved ones by voting for Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz. The Harris-Walz campaign has yet to publicly introduce new policies relevant to climate change. 

Frost is a member of the Subcommittee on Environment within the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. In addition to his work on climate change, he has spoken out against several other issues currently affecting his generation, including book bans, gun violence and a lack of affordable housing. He was the National Organizing Director of March For Our Lives, a youth-led political movement that advocates for comprehensive gun safety laws. Frost also introduced the Fight Book Bans Act to Congress, which aims to “reimburse school districts that have expended resources in defense of their books,” according to his Orlando Sentinel op-ed advocating for the bill.