Read the Report.
MADISON–Earlier today, Wisconsin Environment, the new home of WISPIRG’s environmental
work, released a new report, An Unfamiliar State, How Global Warming Could
Change Natural Wisconsin. The
report, in a comprehensive review of the latest science, documents current and
predicted impacts global warming may have on Wisconsin’s farms, forests, waterways and
natural recreation.
“Global
warming threatens so many things that make Wisconsin “Our dairy
farms, our majestic forests, our cherished lakes and streams, our unparalleled
recreation opportunities; none of these defining characteristics of our state
are immune from global warming.” great” stated Dan Kohler, Director
of Wisconsin Environment.
Key
findings outlined in An Unfamiliar State
include:
· The
Great Lakes will likely be smaller, shallower
and less able to sustain healthy populations of fish and aquatic life.
· The
Wisconsin habitat of several key tree species
– such as the balsam fir, paper birch, white spruce, jack pine and red
pine-will likely be reduced or eliminated.
· Popular
winter pastimes in Wisconsin
such as ice fishing and snowmobiling will be reduced or eliminated.
· Hunting
and fishing opportunities will be impacted as populations of several game birds
move northward and cold water fish such as brook trout and brown trout lose
habitat and perhaps disappear from all but the deepest lakes.
· Drought
and heat stress will affect Wisconsin’s
farms. Increased heat stress to cattle
may reduce production of milk.
“Climate
change impacts are already occurring in Wisconsin,”
stated Dr. John Magnuson, UW Madison Emeritus Professor of Zoology and
Limnology. “The reduction of ice cover on lakes is a visible signal of
warming especially during the last 35 years. Increases in runoff with
associated algal nutrients and the flooding of lake shorelines result
from
increases in the proportion of rain falling in extreme events over the
last one
hundred years and that are expected to continue increasing through this
century.”
John
Vrieze, President of the Wisconsin Dairy Business Association & member of
Governor Doyle’s Global Warming Task Force offered his concern: “There are
1,250,000 cows in Wisconsin
and 14,250 dairymen living here because they like the climate as it is
now. With potential impacts to our
environment, caused by global warming, we'll have to deal with growing numbers
and species of insects and other pests, increased energy use to keep our cows
cool and comfortable, and a change in our cropping practices.”
“Outdoor
recreation is a $9.7 billion industry for Wisconsin,” explained Jeff Weidman, Co-Owner
of Rutabaga and Board Member of the Outdoor Industry Association. “Global warming has put it at risk.”
To
prevent the worst impacts of global warming, Wisconsin,
the United States
and the world must act. There is broad
scientific consensus that to avoid the worst impacts of the problem we must
reduce global warming emissions in the United States at least 15-20% by
2020 and 80% by 2050.
“Global
warming is the biggest environmental challenge of our generation,” stated
Kohler. “But it is a challenge we can
meet and benefit by reducing emissions while using more homegrown renewable
energy and becoming more energy efficient.”
While
Congress considers action, a number of states have begun to establish global
warming emission reduction plans. California Ten northeastern states have created a
program to cap carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and several western
states are considering similar programs.
Last week, the state legislature in Minnesota passed a bill requiring the state
to adopt a global warming emissions reduction plan. Here in Wisconsin, Governor Doyle has formed a
Global Warming Task Force to provide recommendations. has enacted
the nation’s first statewide cap on global warming pollution.
“Smartly,
other states such as Minnesota
are moving forward to adopt global warming solutions plans,” stated
Kohler. “Governor Doyle should lead the way in Wisconsin by directing
the state to achieve global warming emissions reductions in line with
what
scientists say is necessary to solve the problem, a 20% reduction by
2020 and
an 80% reduction by 2050.”
Wisconsin
Environment looks forward to working with the Governor’s Office, legislators,
and members of the task force to promote global warming solutions in Wisconsin.
***
Wisconsin Environment is the new home of
WISPIRG’s environmental work.
