WISCONSIN

With skyrocketing fuel and energy prices, Wisconsin’s economy is hurting. Our reliance on fossil fuels is also contributing to global warming, something that will have severe impacts on the state. Already facing tough times economically, Wisconsin could lose 35,133 jobs if we fail to take aggressive action to mitigate global warming. (i)

Until we commit to comprehensive solutions to global warming, rising temperatures and changing weather patterns are likely to disrupt both Wisconsin’s agriculture and shipping industries. Studies indicate that crop yields in Wisconsin could fall by nearly 35% because of global warming! (ii)

At the root of both of these problems—a slowing economy and a warming planet—is our dependence on fossil fuels. Wisconsin currently gets a majority of its power from coal.

The future of Wisconsin’s green economy begins by investing in clean alternatives and increasing energy efficiency.

Already, Wisconsin has the potential to produce about two and a half times as much energy as it needs from renewables! (iv)

Wisconsin is already making progress toward reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. As a member of the Midwest Greenhouse Gas Reduction Initiative, Wisconsin has agreed to set emission reduction targets, to implement a cap and trade system, and to join the Climate Registry by November 2008. Also, in 2006 the state passed a measure that requires it to generate at least 10% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2015. (v)

We need strong leadership to continue the quest for a renewable-energy future.

SOURCES:

i. http://www.bluegreenalliance.org/site/c.enKIITNpEiG/b.3417259/

ii. http://www.nextgenerationearth.org/usstates/statelist/

iii. http://getenergyactive.org/fuel/state.htm

iv. http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/clean_energy/Plugging_In_Renewable_Energy.pdf

v. http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_states/rps.cfm