12/14/08 Wisconsin Climate Change Summit in Stevens Point
12/17/2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 – Human Rights Day 2008
Lt. Governor Lawton was in Madison on Wednesday to launch Human Rights Day 2008 with a keynote address. Wolfgang A. Schmidt, the chair of the Governor’s Commission on the United Nations, also spoke at the event. The Governor’s Commission on the United Nations was founded in 1959 by Governor Gaylord Nelson and is charged with educating the people of Wisconsin about the work of the United Nations, celebrating UN Day, and expressing its views on related issues.
Members of the Commission, students and others from the community were there to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, first adopted in 1948 by the United Nations.
Lt. Governor Lawton presented the Governor’s Human Rights Proclamation of December 10th as Human Rights Day in Wisconsin.
Friday, December 12, 2008 - Climate Change Summit: Wisconsin Communities Take Action
More than two hundred local government, private industry, environmental and other leaders from over 70 Wisconsin communities gathered at the Wisconsin Climate Change Summit in Stevens Point to create a framework for regional and local responses to global climate change and energy independence. Participants signed a Climate Change Regional Action Resolution as climax to the event.
The summit, a part of Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton’s Green Economy Agenda, was convened by Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton and co-hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
“The President-elect committed to investment in a green future for this country; we’re making sure local leaders will be ready to move those resources, to transform it into new jobs and economic growth in Wisconsin,” said Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton. “We’re putting in place a power grid of informed decision-makers, ready to flip the switch on renewable energy and energy conservation in this state.”
Summit participants heard from environmental policy expert, former California EPA director and author of Lives Per Gallon:The True Cost of Our Oil Addiction Terry Tamminen. Tamminen, pictured left, said we have the choice today between sustainable living or becoming a footnote to human history: “We must shape our future before it shapes us.”
The Midwest director for the Union of Concerned Scientists, Ron Burke, mapped out the cost of inaction on global climate change and graphed a plan for the leaders assembled to reduce emissions in their community. He emphasized that real progress starts with local action and that Wisconsin can lead from the center of the country.
Sessions throughout the day covered topics specific to transportation, bio-fuels and bio-energy, local food systems and community purchasing, opportunities for business innovations, and specific predictions for uneven climate change patterns across the state. Implications for industry and recreation were spelled out – i.e. even a 5.5 degree water temperature increase would eliminate trout habitats in Wisconsin.
Pictured left, summit participants listen to keynote speaker, Terry Tamminen.
Local leaders signed on to a Climate Change Regional Action Resolution. This resolution committed signatories to:
· Develop a community action plan built around the potential for governmental, non-profit and private actions to mitigate and adapt to the challenges of climate change. This plan will include options for energy, transportation, waste management, municipal infrastructure, community purchasing and local food purchasing.
· Create specific goals for the reduction of greenhouse gases and a timeframe for reaching those goals.
· Develop and implement a community-wide public information and education plan built around the issues of climate change and energy independence.
Summit participants submitted forms listing their own work in progress to reduce their carbon footprint, outlined their strategic plan going forward and what kind of assistance they will need to support their success. Data gathered will be compiled in a report to be submitted to the governor and all members of the state legislature.
The summit was co-hosted by the Office of the Lt. Governor and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.. Partner organizations included the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities, the Wisconsin League of Municipalities, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association and 1,000 Friends of Wisconsin.
The conference itself contained a “Green” design. Proceeds from the registration fee will go to fund carbon offsets through long-term on-campus environmental projects. NatureWise, the Wisconsin Public Service renewable energy program, provided 100% renewable energy for the conference, and most of the food served was locally grown and prepared.
Lt. Governor Lawton with keynote speaker Terry Tamminen.
Lt. Governor Lawton with Summit co-host UW-SP Chancellor Linda Bunnell.
More than 250 local government, private industry, environmental and other leaders from over 70 Wisconsin communities listen to Lt. Governor Latwon at the Wisconsin Climate Change Summit in Stevens Point
Lt. Governor Lawton addresses participants at the pre-summit reception following the “go-see” tours for renewable energy and municipal planning showcasing model projects in the Stevens Point area.
