The need to act is clear. Our great state has much to lose with a changing climate. Not only will global warming affect our environment and species habitat — worrying conservationists, hunters and fishermen alike — it could threaten our most important economic engines. Extreme heat and flooding like we saw last summer will affect agriculture and damage property, while declining water levels in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior may hurt shipping, trade, tourism and recreation.

Fortunately, the opportunity is also clear. Wisconsin is uniquely positioned to address global warming by harnessing clean, homegrown renewable energy from the wind and the sun and from our farms. And it’s long past time we do so. We could be switching to cleaner, renewable fuels like cellulosic ethanol grown right here in Wisconsin.
So what do we need to do? In a recent report, Wisconsin Environment outlined a comprehensive strategy for how the state can reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, in line with scientists’ recommendations. The most important elements of the plan are to cap global warming emission levels while establish market incentives such as a cap and trading program to reduce them; increase our commitment to renewable energy; adopt the California clean cars program, and expand energy efficiency and conservation programs for buildings and homes.

Addressing global warming can be a win-win for our environment and our economy. A recent report by the Renewable Energy Policy Project found that a major commitment to renewable electric generation would spur a multi-billion dollar investment and reindustrialization program that could create more than 35,000 new jobs in Wisconsin manufacturing components for wind turbines, solar panels and for biomass production.

In 2006, Wisconsin took an important step in the right direction by adopting the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Act, which will quadruple renewable energy in Wisconsin. But we must and can do much more. Global warming emissions increased 25 percent between 1990 and 2004, making Wisconsin’s contribution to the problem worse than the national average.

With little hope of meaningful action on global warming at the federal level under the current administration, Wisconsin should join states such as Minnesota in adopting a global warming solutions plan. By acting now, Wisconsin can position itself to be ahead of the curve in achieving the reductions that will be required by a national program being discussed by the presidential candidates, and capitalize on growing markets for clean energy technologies.

Wisconsinites understand this issue. A statewide poll of Wisconsin voters found overwhelming support for state-level action to address global warming and increase our commitment to clean energy. The poll found that 84 percent of likely Wisconsin voters favor action by the state of Wisconsin to reduce emissions, like carbon dioxide, that lead to global warming.

Solving global warming and promoting a clean energy future should be a top priority in the statehouse. To meet this challenge, and seize this opportunity, it’s critical we get started now.

Dan Kohler is the director of Wisconsin Environment, a citizen-based environmental advocac organization. www.WisconsinEnvironment.org. Jon Geenen is International vice president of United Steelworkers.

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