Global climate control continues to be a predominant social issue in national politics. Wisconsin policy makers have the chance to make a change and be on the forefront of groundbreaking emissions reduction legislation, and we encourage all Wisconsin lawmakers to support the initiative.
Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, and Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona, proposed an emissions reduction bill that would require a 25 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2020.
This bill would most likely have the greatest impact on utilities such as coal-burning power plants. Facilities such as these are harmful to both Wisconsin's environment and its citizens.With a coal-burning power plant located on campus and several more in the Madison area, we cannot ignore legislation that would curtail these health hazardous facilities.
Wisconsin takes its proposed legislation from California policymaker Fran Pavley, who successfully implemented a similar bill in her state. A recent study conducted by the Ecological Society of America shows climate change has the potential to dramatically change the environment in Wisconsin, and more specifically, affect health and water quality.
The study said that extreme weather conditions in winter and summer, primarily because of carbon dioxide emissions, would dramatically increase morbidity and mortality rates. Similarly, Wisconsin's economic situation may also be affected by climate change.
The study found that drops in soil moisture and thin acidic soil would threaten the state's agriculture. Major tourist attractions, such as fishing and camping, would also be affected by declining climate conditions.
Passing an emissions reduction bill would not only improve the climate quality in Wisconsin, curtailing potential health and economic problems, but a bill in admission reductions would create many jobs in research and implementation of alternative energy.
We encourage lawmakers to conduct more studies to gauge how the people of Wisconsin feel about the prioritization of climate control.
We also encourage a more in-depth study investigating the specific effects of uncontrolled carbon dioxide emissions.California citizens, lawmakers and business owners alike supported the California emissions reduction bill.
We ask Wisconsin citizens and lawmakers to follow suit and ensure Wisconsin will be a safe, clean state for years to come.
