Marco Rubio

Credentials

Background

Marco Rubio is the current United States Secretary of State.³ He assumed office on January 21, 2025, and was appointed by US President Donald Trump. Rubio also currently serves as the acting United States National Security Advisor, a role he began in May 2025 following the “Signalgate” incident involving his predecessor Mike Waltz.⁴

Rubio served as a United States senator for the state of Florida (R-FL) from 2011 to 2025 after being elected in November 2010.⁵ ⁶

Rubio has a seven percent lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters, a nonprofit organization that tracks the pro- and anti-environmental votes of United States members of Congress. Rubio received a 0 percent score for 2024, his final year as a senator for Florida.⁷

As Secretary of State, Rubio has been known for taking a harsh stance on political speech by legal, non-citizen residents of the United States, including those with green cards and/or married to American citizens.⁸ He has directed the US Department of State to rescind or cancel visas of university students for political speech.⁹

Stance on Climate Change

Rubio has appeared to shift his stance on climate change throughout his career. At different points in his career, he has downplayed the effects of climate change and questioned climate adaptation policies.

In his 2010 campaign for Senate, Rubio said that his opponent, Republican governor of Florida Charlie Crist, was “a believer in man-made global warming.”¹⁰ Rubio also said that he didn’t think there was adequate scientific evidence to “justify” a cap-and-trade plan to limit carbon emissions. When asked whether he accepted the scientific evidence that Earth’s climate is changing, Rubio responded, “The climate is always changing. The climate is never static. The question is whether it’s caused by man-made activity and whether it justifies economically destructive government regulation.”

At the March 2016 Republican presidential debate, Rubio seemingly rejected the idea that human activity was a significant driver of climate change, saying: “If the climate is changing, one of the reasons is because the climate has always been changing.” Rubio added that “if there is higher sea levels or whatever it may be happening, we do need to deal with that through mitigation,” and said that he has “long supported mitigation efforts.”¹¹

In a 2019 op-ed USA Today, Rubio argued that “Many proposed ‘fixes’ for climate change have been unrealistic and dangerous.” He added: “Climate change is a real problem. Real problems deserve real solutions.”¹²

Key Quotes

February 6, 2025

Rubio posted on X that he would not attend a Group of 20 (G20) meeting of foreign ministers in South Africa due to the event’s focus on land and climate policy.¹³

“South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote ‘solidarity, equality, & sustainability.’ In other words: DEI and climate change. My job is to advance America’s national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism,” he wrote.¹⁴

I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg.

South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote “solidarity, equality, & sustainability.” In other words: DEI and climate change.

My job is to advance America’s national interests, not…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 5, 2025

August 19, 2019

In a USA Today op-ed titled “We should choose adaptive solutions,” Rubio argued that “Many proposed ‘fixes’ for climate change have been unrealistic and dangerous.” He added, “Climate change is a real problem. Real problems deserve real solutions.”¹⁵

Rubio also argued against climate policy measures, including carbon taxes and a Green New Deal, writing:¹⁶

“To be clear, attempting to reverse engineer the U.S. economy to absolve our past climate sins — either through a carbon tax or some ‘Green New Deal’ scheme — will fail. The cost would set our state back, depriving us of the resources we desperately need to continue to adapt. Despite the high costs, none of those advocates can point to how even the most aggressive (and draconian) plan would improve the lives of Floridians.”

Rubio added that Floridians would not need to build seawalls around the state or move to higher ground in the face of climate change, and instead called for “restoring the Everglades’ natural flow of water” and rehabilitating coral reefs.¹⁷

Rubio concluded:¹⁸

“Americans, particularly Floridians, are right to be concerned about the changing climate. But they are also right to be concerned about a regressive overreaction. Plans stemming from panic will constrain our economy and cripple our ability to invest future resources in solving longer-term issues. […] Alarmists look at the challenges ahead and reject America’s legacy of great innovation in the face of obstacles. Their plans will fail Florida and the nation as a whole.”

March 10, 2016

According to reporting from the Guardian, Rubio seemingly rejected the idea that human activity was a significant driver of climate change at the Republican presidential debate.¹⁹

In response to a question about whether he accepted that human activity was helping cause climate change, Rubio replied: “If the climate is changing, one of the reasons is because the climate has always been changing.” Rubio added that the flooding experienced by Miami was due to the city being “largely built on land that was once a swamp.”²⁰

Rubio also said that “if there is higher sea levels or whatever it may be happening, we do need to deal with that through mitigation,” adding that he has “long supported mitigation efforts. But as far as a law that we can pass in Washington to change the weather, there’s no such thing.”²¹

Rubio added that clean power plans proposed by then-President Barack Obama would “devastate” the US economy, adding:²²

“If you took the gift list of all of these groups that are asking us to pass these laws and did every single one of them, there would be no change in our environment. Sea level would still rise. All these other things that are happening would continue to go on for a lot of different reasons. One, because America is not a planet. It’s a country. And number two, because these other countries like India and China are more than making up in carbon emissions for whatever we could possibly cut.”

2007

According to reporting from NBC News, Rubio referred to a 2007 executive order — signed by Florida’s then-governor, Republican Charlie Crist — regarding emissions standards as “European-style big government mandates.”²³

Key Actions

September 5, 2025

After the United States carried out a strike on a boat in the Caribbean sea, Rubio said that the US would “blow up” foreign crime groups on some occasions. “Now they’re gonna help us find these people and blow them up, if that’s what it takes,” Rubio said, referring to working with other countries’ governments.²⁴

The US government had said that drugs were being trafficked on the boat, but did not provide precise details on the persons killed in the strike or the means of the attack. Legal experts told the BBC that the strike may have violated international maritime and human rights law.²⁵

August 12, 2025

Rubio was one of four signatories on a US statement that rejected a “Net-Zero framework” designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping sector proposed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency “with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.”²⁶ The statement also threatened retaliation against IMO members that backed the plan.²⁷

According to reporting by Reuters, the statement said: “The Trump Administration unequivocally rejects this proposal before the IMO and will not tolerate any action that increases costs for our citizens, energy providers, shipping companies and their customers, or tourists.”²⁸

It added: “Our fellow IMO members should be on notice that we will look for their support against this action and not hesitate to retaliate or explore remedies for our citizens should this endeavor fail.” The US had exited talks about the framework in April 2025.²⁹

The statement also referred to the framework as a “global carbon tax.”³⁰

The other three signatories were US officials: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.³¹

April 24, 2025

The US Department of State announced that it would close its Office of Global Change, which “oversees international climate change negotiations for the United States,” according to reporting from Politico.³²

The move came after Rubio had announced a dramatic reorganization of the State Department. A spokesperson for the department told Politico that the office was “unnecessary,” and was being closed in part because it “supported the efforts of previous [presidential] Administrations to hobble the United States through participation in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other agreements purporting to limit [or] prevent climate change.”

In July 2025, the remaining dozen people working in the Office of Global Change were fired, according to reporting from the Washington Post.³³

August 2022

Accompanying a speech on the floor of the US Senate, Rubio posted on social media platform X (then Twitter), that “While working Americans are struggling with high prices, worried about the border and terrorized by crime, the Senate is spending all night voting on a democrat climate change bill.”³⁴

While working Americans are struggling with high prices, worried about the border and terrorized by crime the Senate is spending all night voting on a democrat climate change bill pic.twitter.com/YZYUzbbjr3
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) August 7, 2022

November 2021

In November 2021, Rubio voted against a bipartisan infrastructure bill that included $47 billion to help communities prepare for fires, floods, storms, and droughts expected to increase in frequency due to climate change.³⁵

March 2007

In his speech to open the 2007 Florida Legislative session, Rubio, then Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, called for the state to lead the country in transitioning to clean energy.³⁶

Rubio said: “Global warming, dependence on foreign sources of fuel, and capitalism have come together to create opportunities for us that were unimaginable just a few short years ago.”³⁷

Rubio predicted that legally binding caps on greenhouse gas emissions would come into effect, and argued that Florida should become “an international model of energy efficiency and independence” and the “Silicon Valley” of clean energy.

Funding

In 2022, Rubio received $13,626 in total from Koch Industries for his re-election campaign as a US Senator for Florida. Rubio received $10,000 from the organization itself, and $3,626 from one or more individuals affiliated with the organization, according to data compiled by Open Secrets.³⁸

Affiliations

@marcorubio on X.
@marcorubio on Instagram.

Publications

100 Innovative Ideas for Florida’s Future. 2006.
An American Son: A Memoir. 2012.
American Dreams: Restoring Economic Opportunity for Everyone. 2015.
Decades of Decadence: How Our Spoiled Elites Blew America’s Inheritance of Liberty, Security, and Prosperity. 2023.

Other Resources

“As seas rise, Florida GOP leaders balk at climate change,” The Associated Press, June 7, 2014.⁴¹

Resources

1
George Bennett. “Republican candidate Marco Rubio casts U.S. Senate race as battle for America,” Palm Beach Post, October 2, 2010. Archived April 5, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/FYHzd
2
George Bennett. “Republican candidate Marco Rubio casts U.S. Senate race as battle for America,” Palm Beach Post, October 2, 2010. Archived April 5, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/FYHzd
3
“Marco Rubio,” United States Department of State. Archived June 28, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GkaIB
4
Kayla Epstein. “Mike Waltz grilled over Signal leak at UN ambassador hearing,” BBC News, July 15, 2025. Archived September 9, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/X76qu
5
“Senator Marco Rubio,” Congress.gov. Archived September 5, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zqsXb
6
“Marco Rubio,” Ballotpedia. Archived August 7, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/TBjsF
7
“Marco Rubio,” League of Conservation Voters. Archived September 17, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/4Z6nV
8
Greg Sargent. “Trump’s Most Dangerous Enabler Is Not Who You Think It Is,” The New Republic, March 24, 2025. Archived August 11, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/HWKof
9
Guardian staff and agency. “Mahmoud Khalil can be expelled for his beliefs alone, US government argues,” The Guardian, April 10, 2025. Archived August 9, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ygFG5
10
William March. “Rubio questions climate change,” Tampa Bay Times, February 13, 2010. Archived October 6, 2016. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
11
Oliver Milman. “Miami Beach mayor: Rubio ‘100%’ sounds like a climate change denier,” The Guardian, March 11, 2016. Archived August 15, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UWQxl
12
Marco Rubio. “Rubio on climate change: ‘We should choose adaptive solutions’,” USA Today, August 19, 2019. Archived April 21, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cnGkd
13
“Rubio Will Skip G20 In South Africa Because Of Its Land And Climate Change Policies,” RadioFreeEurope, February 6, 2025. Archived June 20, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zxW7i
14
“I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg. South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote “solidarity, equality, & sustainability.” In other words: DEI and climate change. My job is to advance America’s national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism.,” X user @SecRubio, February 5, 2025. Archived May 8, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/h68UG
15
Marco Rubio. “Rubio on climate change: ‘We should choose adaptive solutions’,” USA Today, August 19, 2019. Archived April 21, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cnGkd
16
Marco Rubio. “Rubio on climate change: ‘We should choose adaptive solutions’,” USA Today, August 19, 2019. Archived April 21, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cnGkd
17
Marco Rubio. “Rubio on climate change: ‘We should choose adaptive solutions’,” USA Today, August 19, 2019. Archived April 21, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cnGkd
18
Marco Rubio. “Rubio on climate change: ‘We should choose adaptive solutions’,” USA Today, August 19, 2019. Archived April 21, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cnGkd
19
Oliver Milman. “Miami Beach mayor: Rubio ‘100%’ sounds like a climate change denier,” The Guardian, March 11, 2016. Archived August 15, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UWQxl
20
Oliver Milman. “Miami Beach mayor: Rubio ‘100%’ sounds like a climate change denier,” The Guardian, March 11, 2016. Archived August 15, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UWQxl
21
Oliver Milman. “Miami Beach mayor: Rubio ‘100%’ sounds like a climate change denier,” The Guardian, March 11, 2016. Archived August 15, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UWQxl
22
Oliver Milman. “Miami Beach mayor: Rubio ‘100%’ sounds like a climate change denier,” The Guardian, March 11, 2016. Archived August 15, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UWQxl
23
Perry Bacon Jr. “In Florida House, Rubio Led A Conservative Revolt Against Fellow Republicans,” NBCNews, April 13, 2015. Archived May 3, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/WV9ZB
24
Ione Wells. “Rubio says US will ‘blow up’ foreign crime groups if needed,” BBC News, September 5, 2025. Archived September 9, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/hclYW
25
Ione Wells. “Rubio says US will ‘blow up’ foreign crime groups if needed,” BBC News, September 5, 2025. Archived September 9, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/hclYW
26
Lisa Baertlein, Valerie Volcovici, and Enes Tunagur. “US to retaliate against IMO members that back net zero emissions plan,” Reuters, August 12, 2025. Archived August 13, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aDVL1
27
Lisa Baertlein, Valerie Volcovici, and Enes Tunagur. “US to retaliate against IMO members that back net zero emissions plan,” Reuters, August 12, 2025. Archived August 13, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aDVL1
28
Lisa Baertlein, Valerie Volcovici, and Enes Tunagur. “US to retaliate against IMO members that back net zero emissions plan,” Reuters, August 12, 2025. Archived August 13, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aDVL1
29
Lisa Baertlein, Valerie Volcovici, and Enes Tunagur. “US to retaliate against IMO members that back net zero emissions plan,” Reuters, August 12, 2025. Archived August 13, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aDVL1
30
“Joint Statement on Protecting American Consumers and Shipping Industries by Defeating the International Maritime Organization’s ‘Net-Zero Framework’ aka Global Carbon Tax,” United States Department of Energy, August 12, 2025. Archived September 5, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/gggM7
31
Lisa Baertlein, Valerie Volcovici, and Enes Tunagur. “US to retaliate against IMO members that back net zero emissions plan,” Reuters, August 12, 2025. Archived August 13, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aDVL1
32
Sara Schonhardt. “Rubio eliminates office that oversees climate talks,” Politico, April 24, 2025. Archived April 27, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/pFi94
33
Jake Spring. “The State Department fires remaining employees who worked on climate change,” The Washington Post, July 11, 2025. Archived July 12, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/llhHg
34
“While working Americans are struggling with high prices, worried about the border and terrorized by crime the Senate is spending all night voting on a democrat climate change bill,” X post by user @marcorubio, August 7, 2022. Archived October 21, 2025. Archived screenshot on file at DeSmog.
35
Edith Olmstead. “Marco Rubio Called Out for Wild Hypocrisy on Hurricane Milton,” The New Republic, October 7, 2024. Archived May 23, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/MmsXN
36
Tim McDonnell. “Marco Rubio Used to Believe in Climate Science. Now He’s Running for President.,” Mother Jones, April 13, 2015. Archived August 15, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/AadC3
37
“Marco Rubio Speech to the Florida House on Opening Day 2007,” 2009. YouTube video uploaded by user marcorubio2010. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.
38
“Koch Industries,” Open Secrets. Archived September 13, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ruHkr
39
“Marco Rubio,” United States Department of State. Archived June 28, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GkaIB
40
“Senator Marco Rubio,” Congress.gov. Archived September 5, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zqsXb
41
“As seas rise, Florida GOP leaders balk at climate change,” The Associated Press, Archived September 14, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7Ks6s

DeSmog

DeSmog

Marco Rubio

Credentials

Background

Stance on Climate Change

Key Quotes

Key Actions

Funding

Affiliations

Publications

Other Resources

Resources

Related Profiles

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Mike Pence

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DeSmog

DeSmog

Marco Rubio

Credentials

Background

Stance on Climate Change

Key Quotes

Key Actions

Funding

Affiliations

Social Media

Publications

Other Resources

Resources

Related Profiles

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