Sept. 26, 2007: Fix Global Warming Now, or Pay a Big Price Later In Wisconsin

Global warming could put a major dent in Wisconsin's economy down the road, according to a new report from Clean Wisconsin - but there's still time to turn things around.

WISCONSIN NEWS CONNECTION
Sept. 26, 2007

Fix Global Warming Now, or Pay a Big Price Later In Wisconsin

Madison, WI - From farming to tourism, global warming could put a major dent in Wisconsin's economy down the road, according to a report released today - but there's still time to turn things around.

When it comes to global warming in Wisconsin, we can fix things now or pay a huge cost down the road - that's the conclusion of a report released today by Clean Wisconsin. Report co-author Keith Reopelle says there's still time to avoid the worst impacts of global warming - but the state faces major economic consequences if climate change stays on its current track.

"One of the biggest impacts is higher crop losses due to more frequent and severe droughts and more frequent and severe storms, and losess in terms of livestock production because of additional heat stress on the livestock."

The report also warns of likely damage to shipping, tourism, and recreational fishing - along with more disease, as mosquito seasons last even longer. Reopelle says people who see signs of global warming in the state can report them to a new hotline, at 800-W-I-S-W-A-R-M.

Reopelle says there's good news; as the governor's task force on climate change considers solutions, Wisconsin could gain jobs and other economic benefits while reducing global warming pollution.

"While the threats are very significant, the solutions to global warming actually create some win-win opportunities, and a lot of them exist in terms of investments in energy efficiency and conservation."

"If you look at the impacts to a state like Wisconsin, it's gonna be much cheaper to address global warming up front than to pay for the consequences at the back end"

He says there's a silver lining - investing in energy efficiency, conservation, and alternative energy would help fight global warming, and create jobs in the state economy.