Wisconsin

Climate and Energy Polling:

  • The latest Gallup poll reveals that at 64 percent, serious concern for global warming is at an eight-year high across the country.
  • 61 percent of Wisconsin adults understand global warming is already happening and nearly half recognize that it is caused mostly by humans.
  • 79 percent support funding research into renewable energy resources while 66 percent favor setting strict C02 limits on existing coal-fired power plants.

Wisconsin’s Energy Profile:


Wisconsin is Vulnerable to Climate Change:

  • The Midwest region is susceptible to extreme heat events, increased rainfall and flooding, and increased risks to the Great Lakes including unprecedented algae bloom.
  • Over the past 30 years, the Madison/Milwaukee region has witnessed only 1.2 days per year on average of temperatures over 95°F. This will shoot up to nearly two of months in the region by the end of the century. Simultaneously, below freezing days will reduce from 137 days on average presently to 50 days by the century’s end.
  • Milwaukee and Madison are among the top 25 cities in the United States at high risk from flooding due to climate change. Last year, Milwaukee experienced the wettest Thanksgiving Day on record with 1.31 inches of rain, beating a 47-year record of 0.98 inches set in 1968.
  • More than 10 percent of Wisconsin adults suffer from asthma. High levels of ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter common in coal plant emissions, both of which are produced in tandem with other greenhouse gases, are strongly linked to a rise in asthma attacks.
  • Along with declining water levels, climate change will also impact fish in the Great Lakes due to rising surface temperatures .
  • Last year, State Treasurer Matt Adamczyk (R) banned officials of the obscure Board of Commissioners of Public Lands from communicating about climate change.