Global Warming News

Calls for Decisive State and Federal Action

(Madison) — Wisconsin Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton, recently returned from the National Lieutenant Governors Association, announced today passage of a resolution she authored and introduced, calling for state, federal and local action to combat global warming and invest in homegrown, clean renewable energy. 

The resolution, which received bi-partisan support, calls for reductions in global warming pollution levels to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012 and 60 to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, in line with the scientific consensus of action necessary to avoid the worst impacts of global warming.  The resolution also encourages higher fuel economy standards for automobiles and trucks and the increased use of renewable energy.

“Lt. Governor Lawton recognizes that we must act now to address global warming and she is providing the leadership to make that happen,” stated Dan Kohler, Wisconsin Environment Director.  “She also understands that by acting now, we can accelerate the transition to using more homegrown, clean renewable energy like wind, solar and biofuels, which will benefit the environment and our economy.”

This announcement comes on the heels of a Wisconsin Environment report released last week documenting rising temperatures in Wisconsin.  The report, Feeling the Heat: Global Warming and Rising Temperatures, documents that 2006 was the second warmest on record for the lower 48 states and 2007 is on track to be the second warmest year on record globally.   Here in Madison, the average temperature was 2.6°F above normal in 2006.    

At the state level, the state Legislature is poised to consider global warming legislation.  Senator Mark Miller, Chair of the Natural Resources Committee, has introduced the Wisconsin Safe Climate Act, to reduce global warming pollution levels here in Wisconsin.  The Committee is scheduling a hearing for September.  Governor Doyle’s Global Warming Task Force is expected to provide recommendations by the end of the year.

At the federal level, Congress is currently considering an energy bill that could enact recommendations put forth in the Lt. Governor’s resolution.  Among the measures are a federal renewable electricity standard of 20% by 2020 (H.R. 969) and an increase in fuel economy standards (H.R. 1506) requiring cars and light trucks to increase mileage about 10 miles per gallon from current levels.  The House is expected to vote on these measures later this week.

A number of states have begun to establish global warming emission reduction plans.  New Jersey and Hawaii recently joined California with statewide caps on global warming pollution.  Ten northeastern states have created a program to cap carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and several western states are considering similar programs.  Earlier this spring, the state Legislature in Minnesota passed a bill requiring the state to adopt a global warming emissions reduction plan. 

“It’s telling that coastal states such as California and New Jersey, as well as Hawaii have already acted to address global warming pollution,” stated Kohler.  “I think people there understand the direct and urgent threat to their beaches and coastal cities from rising sea levels.  But our natural resources are no less important here in Wisconsin and they are just as threatened by rising temperatures.  The Lt. Governor’s global warming solutions can help us protect Wisconsin’s farms, forests, waterways and outdoor recreation.”

Wisconsin Environment looks forward to working with the Lt. Governor, members of the state Legislature, and the Governor’s office for global warming solutions.

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Wisconsin Environment is a statewide, non-partisan, non-profit environmental advocacy organization and is the new home of WISPIRG’s environmental work.