Wisconsin Academy: Issues report on Wisconsin options for advancing clean energy and reducing emissions that contribute to climate change

Contact: Jane Elder, executive director, 608-263-1692 x11; or
Jason A. Smith, communications director, 608.263.1692 x21

MADISON—The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters today announced the release of a new report, Climate Forward: A New Road Map for Wisconsin’s Climate and Energy Future, that identifies five “pathways to progress” to reduce Wisconsin’s dependence on fossil fuels and support sustainable energy sources:

– increasing energy conservation and efficiency to help consumers
– save money and lessen the need for new power plants and transmission;
– expanding development and use of renewable energy to create local clean energy resources;
– enhancing transportation systems to provide more efficient and cost-effective options for people and products;
– managing forests, grasslands, and other living landscapes to better support natural processes that store carbon in plants and soils;
– encouraging business models that incorporate “whole business” strategies which embrace sustainability practices, learning, and innovation.

“While addressing climate change and developing clean energy are global challenges, this new report by the Wisconsin Academy outlines many practical steps that we can take right now to improve Wisconsin’s quality of life and protect it for future generations,” says Jane Elder, Wisconsin Academy executive director and contributor to Climate Forward.

The Climate Forward report also profiles seventeen Wisconsin businesses, communities, and individuals in the vanguard of energy innovation and other sustainability practices. Tom Eggert, founder and executive director of the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council and Climate Forward contributor notes that, “Wisconsin-grown leadership in energy efficiency, renewables, and conservation is already making a difference, and we want to share their stories to show that these are practical options that are good for business now and in the future.”

The report outlines dozens of options for action at many scales, from establishing goals for incremental progress in improving energy efficiency across the state each year to expanding renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and bioenergy to levels comparable to neighboring states.

“Our state can leverage its legacy as an innovator and a leader on conservation or we can lag behind as other states reap the benefits associated with developing new industries and embracing emerging opportunities. The authors of this report presume Wisconsin will want to lead,” says report contributor Kathy Kuntz of Cool Choices, a workplace-based program that offers fun and social incentives for adopting a sustainable lifestyle.

The Climate Forward report is the culmination of input from public forums in Milwaukee, Madison, and Ashland in 2013, as well as guidance and contributions from a project steering committee and advisors with expertise related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainability, education, and climate research.

Two versions of the report, the full report and an abbreviated executive summary, can be downloaded from the Wisconsin Academy’s website at wisconsinacademy.org/climateforward.