Madison, WI - Global warming could cost Wisconsin corn growers $41 million a year, according to a new report by Wisconsin Environment. The report, Hotter Fields, Lower Yields examined the impact increasing temperatures will have on corn, ranking Wisconsin 10th for damage estimates, and with nationwide damages to America’s #1 crop totaling more than $1.4 billion annually.
“Global warming is local when it comes to Wisconsin farms,” said Wisconsin Environment Director Dan Kohler. “Rising temperatures means hotter fields and lower yields for corn, and eventually, for the rest of our crops. This report is a wakeup call to the tremendous cost of inaction.”
Wisconsin Environment was joined by the Wisconsin Farmers Union to release the report, and together, the groups called for decisive action at the state and federal level to combat global warming and revitalize our economy with clean energy.
“As we can see from the report, climate change will cause a loss of least $1.4 billion to crop yields,” said Wisconsin Farmers Union President Sue Beitlich. “Wisconsin Farmers Union encourages conservation practices and supports clean energy to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the effects of climate change.”
Whether through clean biomass, wind turbines or distributed generation such as on-site solar panels, farmers can generate an independent source of electricity or income while reducing global warming pollution. Wind developers, for example, are offering $4,000 to $8,000 a year per turbine to farmers that allow them to be installed on their land.
“Wisconsin farmers are committed to better land conservation practices that will help the land tolerate the effects of extreme weather,” said Jamie Derr, a Dane County Farmers Union member. “On my farm, I am processing and using biofuels to reduce diesel fuel consumption to protect the environment.”
Last August, Governor Doyle’s Global Warming Task Force issued a comprehensive set of recommendations on how Wisconsin can do its part to reduce emissions while growing our clean energy economy. Legislation stemming from this report is expected later this summer.
“Any effective response to climate change in Wisconsin needs to recognize the contributions our 15 million acres of working farmlands make in soaking up carbon, and it needs to address the challenges our farms and forests will face in the future as a result of a more stressful growing environment,” said state Representative Fred Clark (D-Baraboo). “Farms will continue to play a key role in expanding opportunities for domestic biomass, and in adopting energy conservation practices. We need to support farmers of all sizes in maintaining productivity and improving profitability in the face of changing climate and changing markets.”
This spring, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, of which Representative Tammy Baldwin is a member, will consider a bill answering President Obama’s call for comprehensive clean energy and global warming legislation. The American Clean Energy and Security Act would cap emissions and require that the nation obtain 25 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, like wind and solar power, by 2025. An analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that such a renewable electricity standard would generate $13.5 billion in new income for farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners.
“As we approach Earth Day, we ask that you raise awareness of the negative impact climate change will have on the way we live and the destruction of our world’s food supply,” said Beitlich. “The cost will continue to increase if we stand by and do nothing. Agriculture has a huge opportunity and will play a major role in creating a clean energy economy.”
With the report, Hotter Fields, Lower Yields, Wisconsin Environment analyzed the expected future impacts of global warming on America’s corn growers. The analysis draws on a 2008 study by the United States Climate Change Science Program, a joint project of the United States Department of Agriculture and 12 other federal agencies.
“Big Oil, Dirty Coal, and other polluters are fighting to maintain the status quo, but now is the time for change,” said Kohler. “We need state and federal action to unleash the power of clean energy to rebuild our economy and solve global warming.”
Wisconsin Environment thanked Representative Baldwin for her leadership in repowering America with clean energy and urged her to ensure that the committee passes a strong bill that maintains science-based pollution reduction targets and speeds the transition to a clean energy economy.
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Wisconsin Environment is a state-based, citizen-funded environmental group working for clean air, clean water, and open space. www.wisconsinenvironment.org
Wisconsin Farmers Union is a member-driven organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities and all people through educational opportunities, cooperative endeavors and civic engagement. www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com
Hotter-Fields-Lower-Yields.pdf