Thanks to all who signed or helped circulate the Wisconsin Climate Change Petition, which who knows, may have been instrumental in getting this legislation introduced.
I am hopeful that many of you who are as concerned about this problem as I am will spread the word among those you know (and those you don't know) that what is needed now is for Wisconsin voters to contact their representatives and urge them to co-sponsor or at least support positive action on this legislation, so that Wisconsin begins to reduce its annual greenhouse gas emission burden to the atmosphere, without any further delays. The most recent IPCC report is clear that global warming is occurring, that it is accelerating and that it is likely to get much worse in time unless we begin to reduce aggregate levels of greenhouses gases being emitted to the atmosphere now. It is particularly important that our state act appropriately in addressing this problem without further delay. Historically, other states and the federal government have followed Wisconsin's lead on matters that impact the quality and safety of the environment. Examples where Wisconsin lead the way in the past include: new threats (DDT, PCBs, acid rain) as well as old and continuing threats (surface waters, ground water protection, protections from metallic mining). Global warming is a significant issue that has been occurring under the radar screen for decades but has now moved out into the open. It is a concern for the bicyclists participating in their activity - bicyclists are fully exposed to the more extreme weather threat that global warming is projected to bring - and it is an opportunity for the industry - bicycling is a non-fuel-burning solution to the global warming problem if enough people do it in lieu of using motorized travel (driving). But for the industry to take off, there must be actions taken to expand bicycling facilities (paths, streets, etc.,) throughout the state, and provide a larger cadre of experienced bicyclists experts willing to promote and facilitate the expansion. But first our political representatives have to pass meaningful global warming legislation to put global warming where it belongs on the Wisconsin legislative agenda: front and center - rather than on the back burner. Mike Neuman --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "Mike Neuman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: WE FINALLY GOT IT: WISCONSIN CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION! Not exactly what we asked for, but close enough for starters. Mike History http://madison.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/22292 http://madison.indymedia.org/newswire/display/23759/index.php http://www.petitiononline.com/climate/petition.html - Mike Conserve, NOW: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ConserveNOW/ ----------------------------------------------------- Press Release Rep. Black, Sen. Miller: Global Warming Bill Proposed 2/15/2007 Contact: Rep. Spencer Black (608) 266-7521 Sen. Mark Miller (608) 266-9170 Legislators are joined by conservation, faith groups Leaders of conservation and faith groups today joined Representative Spencer Black and Senator Mark Miller at a State Capitol press conference to announce a major legislative initiative to combat global warming. The Global Warming Solutions bill is similar to the landmark California green house gas reduction law signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger last November. The California law establishes the first ever comprehensive greenhouse gas reduction program in the United States. "Global warming threatens to cause unprecedented and massive environmental damage and disruption. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration has failed to take action to address the problem of climate change. Even though 164 countries have signed the Kyoto Protocol - an international agreement to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases - the United States has refused to ratify the agreement and has downplayed the scientific consensus that global warming is a serious problem. In the absence of federal action, the states must act. The threat to the well-being of our children and future generations is too great to just do nothing. Wisconsin should join California and other states and take a real stand against global warming." Black said. Black is the ranking member of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. Senator Mark Miller, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said ""The passage of the "Global Warming Solutions Act" in California makes the passage of similar legislation possible here and in other states because California plays such a large vital role in the economy of our country." The bill introduced by Black and Miller will be consistent with the requirement in the California law to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. Since 1990, Wisconsin emissions of carbon dioxide, the primary cause that causes global warming, has increased by 25%, significantly more than the nation as a whole. Black noted "States, including Wisconsin, have taken action before on environmental issues when the federal government has ignored a significant environmental problem. In 1986, Wisconsin was one of the first states to pass strict acid rain legislation. Largely because of the success of acid rain laws in Wisconsin and other states, Congress passed national acid rain control measures in 1990." Miller added "The Global Warming Solutions Bill's broad requirement of 1990 greenhouse gas level attainment allows for flexibility in implementing reduction programs. The use of market mechanisms with a "cap and trade" system will allow for achievement of the goal at the least possible cost. Our legislation complements Governor Doyle's Task Force on Global Warming, which is charged with developing a state plan of action to explore state and local solutions to global warming." Key provisions of the bill include: - A mandatory reporting system to track and monitor greenhouse gas emission levels and institutes a limit on greenhouse gas emissions. - An emission limit sufficient to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 1990 levels. - The use of market mechanisms, such as permit trading, to achieve greenhouses gas emission reductions at least cost. At the press conference, the legislation has received broad support from a number of groups including the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters, Wisconsin Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign, Sierra Club, League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, Clean Wisconsin, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Madison Audubon Society, WISPIRG and the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice. "The time is always ripe to be right." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
