About a year ago, Governor Evers created the Climate Change Task Force for Wisconsin with an executive order. Over 30 leaders from a variety of organizations were selected to participate in drafting the actions that ultimately reduce Wisconsin’s carbon footprint and aid local communities in their fight against the effects of climate change.
This summer, the Task Force led five state-wide virtual hearings and encouraged the involvement of the participants by promoting public comments. The hearings took place on June 23rd, June 27th, July 7th, 9th, and 15th, and roughly 150-250 people attended each hearing -- most of whom registered through the Sierra Club and our allies.
Todd of Watertown is hoping that Wisconsin will become the country’s leader in sustainability and environmental conservation, “I believe we can get the state back on track for a reputation of being a leader in environmental conservation, as well as moving forward in a transition to a total commitment to renewable energy.”
Six major themes arose from public comments during the hearings:
-
The demand for clean energy in Wisconsin and the retirement of coal plants state-wide.
-
The fight against future fossil fuel infrastructure in Wisconsin.
-
The halting of new highway expansions in Wisconsin and the future investment towards public transit and biking/walking infrastructure.
-
The betterment of Wisconsin’s forests as a tool for carbon sequestration and to provide a natural for everyone.
-
The encouragement of carbon sequestration within agriculture.
-
The support for communities and their goals to reduce carbon emissions.
Cecile of Muskego demanded our state’s respect for the planet by stating, “I believe that we must care for the earth in order to live well on the earth. We must do everything we can to be the wisest caretakers for the earth. It is our home. The earth will not serve us well nor be a hospitable host for our children, grandchildren, and on and on unless we care for the earth. For me, that includes all living things on the earth.”
In addition to testifying at public hearings, members of the public could submit written comments. More than 200 Wisconsinites submitted their powerful and compelling comments to the Task Force through the Sierra Club’s comment form. The comments were all-encompassing with the participants passionately voicing everything from demands for bettering the air quality in their cities, to stressing their fear for their climate futures, to expressing their concerns for future pandemics, to just simply voicing their love and appreciation for the beauty of nature.
Lily of La Crosse expressed her concern for her climate future by stating, “As a recent high school graduate, it's discouraging to see the blatant disregard for my future. Bold climate action is needed NOW! You cannot wait because by the time my generation is old enough to make the changes ourselves, it will be too late.”
Sierra Club also submitted a nine-page formal comment document to the task force that listed our five demands for a greener future as well as the legislative and administrative recommendations that may guide the political decision-making process.
We need a sustainable future for Wisconsin, free of fossil fuels and destruction, and full of clean energy, land-conservation, and community support. While public input was clear on this, some of the decision-makers involved in the Climate Task Force are not in agreement. For example, the electric utilities involved in the task force have attempted to block several clean energy initiatives that other task force members and members of the public have suggested. We cannot let electric utilities ruin our opportunity for a bold and ambitious climate plan for Wisconsin.
Send a message to Lt Governor Barnes' office supporting bold and ambitious climate action.
By Antonia Langowski, Intern