Global Warming News

As the new home of WISPIRG's environmental work, Wisconsin Environment can be contacted with any questions regarding this report.  

MADISON—Global warming pollution in Wisconsin jumped 78% between 1960 and 2001, according to "The Carbon Boom," a new analysis of government data released today by the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG). Increased coal emissions from power plants and oil emissions from transportation sources were responsible for 38% and 32% of this increase, respectively.

“When you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you should do is stop digging. To protect future generations from the effects of global warming, we need to stop this trend of increasing pollution,” said Bruce Speight, WISPIRG Field Director.

Existing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies could substantially reduce global warming pollution, but the federal government has so far rejected mandatory pollution limits.

"We already possess the technical means to reverse this catastrophic trend toward global scorching," said the Rev. Dave Steffenson, Acting Director of the Wisconsin Interfaith Climate & Energy Campaign. "What we need now is the moral will and a sense of urgency to do what is necessary within this decade to protect our planet and reverse our headlong rush into ecological disaster for all species. Something we could do immediately in Wisconsin is cancel all new coal-burning utilities now being built or in the planning stage and phase out those already in operation."

Using data compiled by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, WISPIRG’s new report examines trends in carbon dioxide emissions and fossil fuel combustion nationally and by state between 1960 and 2001, the most recent year for which state-by-state data are available. Major findings of the report include:

• Wisconsin emitted 59.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 1960; by 2001, the state’s emissions had grown to 105.9 million metric tons, an increase of 78%.
• Nationwide, emissions of carbon dioxide nearly doubled between 1960 and 2001, jumping from 2.9 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide in 1960 to almost 5.7 billion metric tons in 2001, an increase of 95 percent.
• A dramatic growth in oil combustion in the transportation sector and coal combustion for electricity generation fueled the rapid increase in U.S. carbon dioxide emissions between 1960 and 2001. Increased coal and oil combustion each accounted for 40% of the increase in carbon dioxide emissions.
• In Wisconsin, increased oil combustion – largely to fuel cars and light trucks – accounted for 32% of the state’s increase in carbon dioxide emissions from 1960 to 2001. Vehicle travel increased dramatically over the period, while the fuel efficiency of U.S. vehicles stalled in the late 1980s. The number of miles driven on Wisconsin’s roads increased from 15,474 million in 1960 to 57,269 million in 2001, an increase of 169%. Increased combustion of coal contributed 38% of the state’s growth in emissions from 1960 to 2001.

The early effects of global warming are evident in Wisconsin and worldwide. According to NASA, 2005 was the warmest year ever recorded. Left unchecked, global warming threatens to:

• cause serious future water shortages in Wisconsin, as our snowpack-fed rivers and streams dry up.
• cause more frequent and severe heat waves in Wisconsin, which will increase the number of people who suffer heat stress and stroke.
• cause more frequent and extreme droughts in Wisconsin, as warmer temperatures evaporate moisture in the soil more quickly.

“Our organization is committed to preserving our agricultural landscape,” said Sue Beitlich, President of Wisconsin Farmer’s Union. “We’re also committed to being good stewards of our natural environment and rewarding farmers for their stewardship. Global warming emissions are without a doubt rising and now is the time to act. We feel farmers can be part of the solution, through the sequestering of carbon and growing of energy crops for use as renewable fuel, and we will continue to explore new ways to help solve environmental problems. Through sustainable farming and responsible living, we can make sure our children and grandchildren have opportunities to appreciate the beauty and bounty the earth provides.”

The U.S. could substantially reduce its global warming pollution by using existing technologies to make power plants and cars more efficient and increase the use of clean, renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass, noted Speight. “These are win-win solutions because they also would reduce our dependence on oil, reduce air pollution, protect pristine places from oil drilling and mining, and save consumers money,” he said.

Oil companies – led by ExxonMobil – automakers, and most electric utilities continue to fight common sense solutions to global warming, Speight pointed out. For instance, ExxonMobil gave at least $15 million between 1998 and 2004 to groups working to confuse the public about the broad scientific consensus on the causes of and solutions to global warming.

Today, Rep. Henry Waxman (CA) introduced the Safe Climate Act, which provides a long-term, science-based solution to global warming. The bill requires the U.S. to reduce its global warming pollution by 15% from today’s levels by 2020 and by 80% by 2050. To achieve these targets, the bill calls for improved energy efficiency and a greater reliance on clean, renewable energy sources, while providing companies flexibility in meeting the pollution-reduction goals through a “cap-and-trade” program.

Rep. Waxman commented, “PIRG’s report shows state-by-state how the problem has been growing for decades. Now is the time to heed the scientists and start healing the climate. The Safe Climate Act will dramatically reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to the levels needed to avoid dangerous global warming. We start now and increase improvements over time, as we replace dirty old energy sources with clean renewable energy and energy efficiency.”

“Our leaders must take decisive action to stop the worst effects of global warming. We call on the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation to cosponsor the State Climate Act,” concluded Speight. “We applaud Senator Feingold for urging President Bush to support real reductions in global warming pollution.”