Climate Change Wisconsin: What it Means for Us

What does current science say about climate change and the potential impacts upon Northeastern Wisconsin?

Graduate students from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Capstone Seminar in Environmental Science and Policy will present their work on the topic of climate change to the campus and the local community, on Tuesday, Dec. 1. The subject: “Climate Change Wisconsin: What it Means for Us” will be presented at 7 p.m. in MAC Hall 208 is free and open to the public.

“There’s a lot of public misunderstanding and we think it’s important to look at real impacts by examining what might be termed the consensus among scientists,” says Michael Kraft, political science chair and professor of Public and Environmental Affairs. “The students will cover the most current science projections related to climate change for the state and especially Northeastern Wisconsin, and potential environmental, social and economic impacts.”

(Click to see larger image)

For example some projections suggest that within the next 50 years a Wisconsin summer could resemble summer in Arkansas. Such a scenario certainly has ramifications upon agriculture, tourism and the economy, Kraft said.

As part of the presentation there will be a bank of six computers that will show a range of projections over the course of the coming century.

Portions of the Capstone Seminar presentation also will cover the University’s development of a Climate Change Action Plan.

A reception following the presentation will offer an introduction to the Climate Change Wisconsin Facebook group, being designed to present credible information related to climate change forecasts, facilitate public education, and encourage public involvement.

For more information about the Capstone Seminar contact: Professor Michael Kraft at (920) 465-2531, kraftm@uwgb.edu; or Associate Professor and Global Studies Chair, Kevin Fermanich at (920) 465-2240, fermanik@uwgb.edu.

#09-201