State initiative gets climate change discussion rolling
Given that most scientists agree the climate is changing, experts and officials are trying to get ready for possible effects -- in order to avoid harm to people, places and things.
For instance, what kind of measures could prevent health effects from heat waves? What can the state do to protect the tourism economy, which depends on snowmobiling, skiing, fishing and boating? How could the paper industry react if warmer-climate trees change northern forest composition? How can stormwater be managed?
The state Department of Natural Resources and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have started the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts to explore potential effects and find answers to those and other questions.
The initiative has established working groups of scientists and citizens to study statewide issues or zero in on specific regions of the state. Statewide topics include forests, fish, water, air, agriculture, tourism and human health. Geographic regions include Central Sands, Western Coulee and Ridges, Northern Highland, Green Bay, Milwaukee and others.
"The purpose of WICCI is to anticipate and recommend adaptations to climate change, regardless of its cause," explained Jack Sullivan, director of science services at the DNR.
Though some argue that human impact is not causing climate change, "there is little debate that warming is under way and likely to continue, and that Wisconsin will be significantly affected," he said.
An interdisciplinary council of prominent scientists from around the state, co-chaired by DNR scientist Dick Lathrop and UW-Madison emeritus Professor John Magnuson, supports and oversees WICCI working groups.
Dan Vimont, an assistant professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences at the UW, is participating in the science council and a climate working group.
"We are focusing on climate variations in Wisconsin and will develop projections on rainfall and temperature changes over the next century," Vimont said.
"WICCI is important because it brings together scientists who are studying climate with scientists who are studying the impacts of climate that directly affect the citizens of Wisconsin, such as flooding events or sewage overflows. And it brings decision-makers together with both of them."
An advisory committee representing business, agriculture, legislators, local communities, advocacy groups and other interests will help focus working groups on issues that most concern them. Citizens interested in participating should contact Steve Pomplun, assistant director for external relations at the UW's Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, at 263-3063.
WICCI began last June at a meeting of UW-Madison climate researchers and DNR scientists and resource managers seeking to answer questions from state legislators about how climate change would affect their districts and constituents. More discussions followed, and the Nelson Institute is now coordinating the project.
The adaptation initiative complements the governor's Global Warming Task Force, which is developing strategies for mitigating warming by reducing carbon emissions, which most scientists believe are causing climate change by holding heat close to the planet.
Although climate change is global, it's important to concentrate on local effects, Lathrop said.
"A lot of people don't understand the effect on them if polar bears are dying. But if a person can understand how their sense of place and region around them is changing -- say, if a number of tree species will be gone from the northern forest -- they may be willing to accept mitigation measures," he added.
"It will require some sacrifice and some willingness to live differently, and let government have some regulation. It will not be possible to do business as usual. How are we going to adjust and adapt to this uncertain future, to alternative climates?"
WICCI groups will focus on impacts and strategies, and encourage people to think about how to implement change.
It is vital to anticipate problems before they actually arrive, according to Magnuson.
"We are just beginning. Mitigation and adaptation are long-term issues," he said. "But expect surprises."
