The Environment

My Thoughts on the Environment
 
Protection of our natural resources is very important to me. God has given us a wonderful place to live. We have a responsibility to protect and preserve this place for our children and their children.  The protection of habitat is essential to securing the future for the animals and plants that share the earth with us.
 
We have rising rates of asthma and other chronic respiratory illnesses. We have advisories about eating fish from all of Wisconsin’s lakes and many streams and rivers. Human infertility rates are increasing. Learning disabilities are also on the increase. Scientists are finding possible environmental causes for these harmful changes. Cleaning up our environment will decrease our health care costs. Protecting the environment can decrease the future cost of education.
 
Here are some environmental issues we need to address:
 
Water Quality

  • We should be able to safely swim in and eat the fish from our lakes, rivers and streams
  • We must improve the quality of drinking water
  • We need to continue with the planned and implemented removal of toxic sediments
  • We need to safely treat and dispose of the removed sediments
  • We must plan to conserve and safeguard water resources, both ground water and surface water
  • Non-point source pollution must be decreased without overburdening farmers
  • Wisconsin needs to sign on to the Great Lakes Compact

Air Quality

  • Emissions from all coal-fired power plants must be limited
  • New manufacturing processes that cause less pollution need to be pursued
  • Upgrading power production and manufacturing processes should use technologies that protect human health

Energy

  • We need energy conservation and improved efficiency at all levels: individual, industrial and governmental
  • We need to develop renewable energy sources to meet our energy demands
  • These renewable energy sources must be safe and nonpolluting

Recycling

  • Support for state and local recycling initiatives must continue
  • Wisconsin can be a leader in the development of products and processes using recycled materials
  • We should work to reduce the amount of garbage we produce in Wisconsin and accept from other states

Governmental Accountability

  • The office of the Public Intervenor must be reinstated and funded adequately
  • The Secretary of the DNR should not be a political appointee
  • The Department of Natural Resources requires adequate funding and should not be divided
  • The Stewardship Fund must continue to be adequately funded

Development of new energy sources, sustainable business and manufacturing practices and improved use of technology will decrease pollution. Moving ahead in this area will make Wisconsin an environmental and economic leader.  We can do this together. A safe environment and a strong vibrant economy support each other. Wisconsin can continue to be known as a leader in environmental protection.
 
Penny Bernard Schaber