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Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle column
Working Together to Address Climate Change
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
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With each passing day, the effects of global warming are being seen across
the globe - glaciers are retreating, sea levels are rising, and extreme
weather is increasing in frequency and intensity. Climate change demands
aggressive action at the international, national, state, local and
individual levels. Just as the impact of global warming will affect us all,
the responsibility for leadership rests with each of us. I want Wisconsin to
be a place where citizens work together with businesses, researchers,
government officials, and others to seize the challenges of climate change
and find opportunities for growth in them.
I have set ambitious goals for Wisconsin to build our energy independence:
Wisconsin will get 25 percent of its electrical power and 25 percent of its
transportation fuel from renewable resources by 2025, we will capture 10
percent of the market share for renewable energy and bioproducts, and we
will use our tremendous capability for research to become the country’s
leader in making alternative energies more affordable and available to all.
However, Wisconsin cannot face climate change alone - we must continue
working hard with regional and international partners to work toward energy
security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In November, as Chairman of the Midwestern Governors Association, I brought
together ten Governors from across the Midwest and we adopted a regional
strategy to address climate change through new energy efficiency goals,
increased biofuel production, and the development of technology and
infrastructure to reduce the pollution causing global warming.
This week, Wisconsin joined with the United Kingdom to take the next steps
towards a cleaner, safer, more prosperous energy future. On Monday, May 12,
2008 I joined with United Kingdom (U.K.) Secretary of State Hilary Benn to
embark on a historic new partnership to address the critical issue of
climate change.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) I signed with Secretary Benn
encourages collaboration between Wisconsin and the U.K. in researching and
sharing new policies, technologies, experiences, and solutions that protect
the planet by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases while also opening up
new economic opportunities for our citizens. The MOU promotes a working
relationship between Wisconsin and the U.K. and builds upon current efforts
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote low carbon technologies.
By combining Wisconsin’s knowledge, skills and resources with those of the
United Kingdom, we can develop the solutions necessary for a clean energy
future. The environmental and economic consequences of climate change and
our dependence on fossil fuels affect everyone and our collaboration with
the United Kingdom can only do more to generate new technologies, new
businesses, new jobs for our citizens, and a cleaner and safer world for
generations to come.
The agreement with the U.K. is both practical and symbolic. Practically, the
agreement will open a continuing dialogue to develop and share solutions for
combating climate change. The accord also sends a signal to the world:
Wisconsin will be a leader in addressing climate change, and we will build
partnerships to face this challenge together.
I hope that you will join me in seeking innovative and practical solutions
to fight climate change and secure a shared, prosperous future.
To read the Memorandum of Understanding, please visit:
http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us//docview.asp?docid=13713
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Office of the Governor
115 East State Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
608-266-1212
608-267-6790 (TTY)
608-267-8983 (FAX)
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If you have any suggestions,
corrections, contributions or anything you would like to comment on, please
email me.
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