Wisconsinites can show their support and push for bold climate action at any of the upcoming virtual Climate Change Task Force meetings in July.
Governor Evers created the task force last October with an executive order and more than 30 leaders from a variety of state organizations and groups were chosen to collaborate on drafting measures that will reduce Wisconsin’s carbon footprint and help communities statewide handle the effects of the climate crisis. The task force’s plans will play a vital role in determining Wisconsin’s climate future. Their actions could help us create green jobs, invest in public transit, and close coal plants statewide! But to achieve those goals, we have to lay the groundwork now, as the task force’s deadline is quickly approaching.
The task force is due to present its policy recommendations by August 31. Let’s push the task force towards effective, dynamic measures by showing up and voicing our support in virtual hearings and public comments!
Hearings schedule:
Wednesday, July 15 6:00-8:00 pm
RSVP now to the hearing(s) you will attend (linked above)!
Here’s our guide to 6 major issue areas where we can push for policies that respond to climate change. Our top asks are highlighted below, with specific policies and explanations of why each is important. Since the Task Force covers a lot of issues, feel free to scroll to those you are most interested in.
We need to retire all coal plants and get to 100% clean energy
Specific Asks:
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Create a plan to retire all coal plants in Wisconsin that includes protections and resources for workers and communities that currently rely on those plants
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Initiate long-term planning on energy in Wisconsin so that we have a say in our electricity
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Allow 3rd Party Solar Leasing to make solar more available by reducing upfront costs
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Invest in energy efficiency programs reducing energy costs, prioritizing low-income communities
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Build out a plan for offshore wind in Lake Michigan allowing us to use the incredible wind resource
Why This Is Important:
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Nearly half of Wisconsin’s electricity comes from coal
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The state spends $14.4 billion annually importing energy
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Air pollution from coal-fired plants is linked with asthma, cancer, heart, lung and neurological problems
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Coal plants are the biggest source of carbon dioxide emissions in the electricity sector
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Fossil fuel power plants are often located near communities of color and low-income communities, meaning that these groups suffer the most
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This transition must include resources for existing employees and communities that currently rely on funding from those plants
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Wisconsin is falling behind our neighboring states in the number of clan energy jobs
No new fossil fuel infrastructure in Wisconsin
Specific Asks:
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There should be a moratorium on any new fossil fuel infrastructure
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The Line 5 pipeline should be shut down and no new segment should be allowed to be build
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The Namidji Trail Energy Center gas plant should not be permitted
Why This Is Important:
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We can fulfill our energy needs through wind, solar, energy efficiency and conservation, and batteries.
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Clean energy will create more jobs than any new fossil fuel infrastructure will
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New pipelines and fossil fuel plants threaten Wisconsin’s 15,000 inland lakes and 12,600 rivers and the economy that relies on them
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Wisconsin already enables 20% of all US crude oil imports to flow through the state
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Tar sands oil pipelines enable so much of the most carbon-intensive oil to flow through the state, they undermine any other efforts to stop climate change
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The proposed Line 3 and Line 5 pipelines undermine indigenous sovereignty
Stop any new highway expansions and invest in public transit and biking/walking infrastructure
Specific Asks:
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Put a moratorium on any new highway expansions
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Shift the funding focus from highways to public transit (>$50m/year) and biking/walking infrastructure (>$1m/year)
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Fund transit expansions, especially those that connect marginalized communities to employment hubs
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The Department of Transportation should allow communities to adopt the NACTO guidelines
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All state-funded streets should be required to be complete with sidewalks and bike lanes
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Build out electric vehicle infrastructure and a rail network throughout Wisconsin
Why This Is Important:
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The transportation sector is now the greatest carbon dioxide emitter
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Nearly half of WisDOT’s $3billion annual budget is spent on highway construction and expansion
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Prioritizing driving this way leaves many behind, including those who can’t drive, can not afford to drive, and do not have a driver’s license, reinforcing other forms of oppression
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Transit ridership has surged 20% in the last decade, yet funding has stayed stagnant
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Biking and walking can drastically reduce our carbon footprint, improve our health, and decrease traffic while contributing $1.5 billion to Wisconsin’s economy annually
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The United States makes up only 4.4% of the world population, yet uses a fifth of the world’s total oil
Manage Wisconsin’s forests to sequester carbon and provide access for everyone
Specific Asks:
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Encourage the management of forests for carbon sequestration including protecting and maintaining old growth forests and improving soil health and soil sequestration
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Prioritize land preservation as climate change mitigation and adaptation, including protecting and expanding wetlands for flood mitigation and filtration and watershed-based management
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Study the contributions of state parks towards carbon absorption and sequestration and include protection of these areas as part of local and state climate mitigation plans.
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Support public lands and increase access to parks and forests to increase climate education and awareness by:
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Preserve and expand publicly owned lands including parks and forests.
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Encourage the DNR to accept the federal Every Kid Outdoors pass at Wisconsin State Parks to allow fourth graders and their families free parks access.
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Increase park accessibility by improving mass transit connectivity, safety measures for People of Color who face harassment or feel unsafe when enjoying public lands, and increase funding for park maintenance.
Why This Is Important:
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When an old growth forest is harvested, carbon is input into the atmosphere for about 5-20 years, before the growing young trees begin to absorb and sequester more carbon than they give off.
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Old growth forests sequester carbon during their entire life and when they naturally die (from lightning, fungus, insects, etc.) the canopy layer below helps maintain the sequestration
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Public lands help protect this sense of place that is critical for sustaining the identities of communities
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Fragmentation of forest habitat into smaller patches separated by agricultural activities or developed land increases the “edge effect” and promotes the interaction among pathogens, vectors, and hosts
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Communities of Color and low-income communities have less access to open space and natural areas. Key barriers that exist include lack of information or gear, and financial or transportation difficulties.
Adopt agriculture procedures that sequester carbon
Specific Asks:
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Incentivize sustainable agriculture practices that help sequester carbon
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Promote local food production and consumption to reduce the vehicle-miles-traveled for foods to reach markets.
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Ensure all communities have access to healthy, local food
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Promote environmentally sound agricultural practices, including minimizing dependence on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and maximizing crop rotation and soil health.
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Incentivize grazing and create a plan to convert some cropland
Why This Is Important:
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Appropriate agriculture procedures can also benefit the quality of water and watersheds
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Livestock grazing in riparian zones can change landscape conditions by reducing stream bank vegetation and increasing water temperatures, sedimentation, and nutrient levels.
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Runoff from pesticides, fertilizers, and nutrients from animal manure can also degrade water quality.
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Certain agricultural land use practices, such as overgrazing, land conversion, fertilization, and the use of agricultural chemicals, can enhance the growth of invasive plants.
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Introduction of invasive species on agricultural lands can reduce water quality and water availability for native fish and wildlife species.
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Food deserts are most commonly found in low-income communities and communities-of-color
Support communities in reaching their carbon goals
Specific Asks:
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Support ambitious local climate action by providing funding for climate action planning and removing and preemptive measures that stop communities from getting to their goals
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Modernize land use policies to prioritize infill and to decrease suburban sprawl. Use comprehensive zoning and planning.
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Encourage energy efficiency and climate-friendly buildings
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Update building standards to include benchmarking and establishing energy ratings for both commercial and residential buildings.
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Allow communities to have more aggressive building codes if they choose
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Adopt ambitious planning goals such as LEED for Neighborhood Design or other standards that promote a holistic approach to green community building. Relatedly, assure that affordable housing units are energy efficient.
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Support climate-friendly zoning, transportation and land use policies
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Support smart growth to limit urban sprawl and reduce impact on undeveloped and agricultural land
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Promote multi-modal transportation hubs
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Create plans that support climate change resilience and strong local economies
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Emphasize the interrelated nature of urban/rural and that we are mutually reliant on each other.
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Encourage stormwater ordinances that create a watershed approach to stormwater management.
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Promote clean jobs by expanding energy efficiency programs, green infrastructure, transit infrastructure
Why This Is Important:
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Local governments have primary responsibilities for regulating land use
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There is a connection between land use and the spread of disease
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Land development creates impervious surfaces through construction of roads, parking lots, and other structures that affect water flow and volume and increase storm water runoff as well as aquifer recharge