Task force recommends global warming action
Wisconsin Environment shapes plan for solutions
For more than a year now, Wisconsin Environment has been urging the state to adopt a science-based plan to reduce global warming emissions and promote a clean energy economy. Now, our efforts are beginning to pay off.
In 2007, Gov. Jim Doyle established the Global Warming Task Force, made up of representatives from industry, utilities and environmental groups, as well as public health advocates, educators and legislators, to provide recommendations on state global warming policy.
Wisconsin Environment encouraged the task force to release the strongest recommendations possible. We helped to make the case by raising awareness of the issue in the media and speaking to thousands of citizens across the state about the importance of acting to stop global warming.
We also released a series of global warming reports, including “A Blueprint for Action: Policy Options to Reduce Wisconsin’s Contribution to Global Warming,” authored by Wisconsin Environment’s Dan Kohler. We submitted this report to the task force in the spring.
Task force calls for more clean energy
In July, the task force submitted their final policy recommendations to the governor. Their plan includes 11 of 14 policy recommendations contained in the Wisconsin Environment report, including using energy more efficiently and getting 25 percent of our energy from renewable sources by 2025.
“Science tells us that to avoid the most dangerous effects of global warming we need to take immediate action to reduce global warming pollution,” said Wisconsin Environment’s Dan Kohler. “By acting now, Wisconsin could position itself to be ahead of the curve in reducing emissions, and capitalize on the growing market for clean energy technologies within the Midwest and across the country.
Wisconsin Environment is calling on the state Legislature to move forward with the task force’s policy recommendations in the next session. By taking action now, we can reduce emissions by the levels most scientists recommend—at least 15 to 20 percent by 2020 and at least 80 percent by 2050—and help Wisconsin make the transition to a clean energy economy.
