Wisconsin's increase in pollution from fossil fuels has outpaced increases in many other states, according to a report from the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group.
Drawing on U.S. Department of Energy Data between 1990 and 2004, the group found that carbon dioxide emissions, primarily from coal-fired power plants and transportation fuels, increased by 25 percent in Wisconsin. Nationwide, such emissions increased by 18 percent.
The study is yet another "wake-up call" to heed the threat posed by global warming, said WISPIRG state director Dan Kohler.
"It is critical that we cap pollution levels right away," Kohler said Friday.
Kohler said there are hopeful signs that Wisconsin officials are taking the threat seriously. Gov. Jim Doyle recently convened a task force to come up with solutions to address global warming, and the state Legislature is also considering global warming initiatives.
But Kohler said it is discouraging that the state is still considering allowing more coal-powered plants to be built.
"It would be the wrong direction to head in," he said. "Wisconsin is uniquely positioned to address global warming and to benefit from it economically."
Kohler said Wisconsin has home-grown renewable energies, including wind power and solar power, that could be developed further, rather than spending $6 billion a year to bring in fossil fuels from out of state.
"It would be much better to invest that money in home-grown renewable sources and keep the money in Wisconsin," he added.
Kohler said he is encouraged that the public seems to understand the effects of global warming.
"Our farms and our forests and our wildlife and our waters, all those things, given what scientists are predicting will happen, will be impacted," Kohler said.
He said his group is now working with farmers, hunters and religious groups, among others, to address the problem of global warming.
"It's a very interesting coalition," he said.
