On climate change, even talking about it helps, Wisconsin experts say - The Capital Times

On climate change, even talking about it helps, Wisconsin experts say | News | captimes.com

Climate change is a global problem, so it can feel daunting to try to combat it as one person living in one city in Wisconsin. But panelists in a Cap Times Idea Fest virtual session tried to make tackling climate change on an individual scale a bit less paralyzing.

In “What Can I Do To Combat Climate Change?” the Cap Times convened a panel of leaders working to address the issue locally. From investing in solar panels, to weatherizing your home, to taking the bus, or just talking with your neighbors, the advocates shared a variety of ways each person can take steps to live greener.

In Wisconsin, climate change will be most noticeable through changes in weather, Maria Redmond said. Wisconsinites are already noticing periods of high heat, severe flooding and reduced air quality from wildfires.

Redmond is the director of the Wisconsin Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy. She leads the implementation of the state’s first-ever Clean Energy Plan.

“A lot of people support action,” state said.

The state agency wants to be a resource for people looking to make smart environmental choices, Redmond said. If Wisconsinites have questions about how to get started, she encouraged folks to email osbe@wisconsin.gov to get answers and learn more.

Susan Millar is an anthropologist and a volunteer leader with 350 Wisconsin, a grassroots group working to halt climate change.

Millar said she’s noticed that a lot of people are experiencing climate anxiety. The problem can seem so overwhelming. Finding community and taking action can stave off that anxiety, Millar said.

Working with your friends and neighbors to make change helps address those feelings of, “Gee, I don’t know what to do. I can’t do anything,” Millar said.
Hear a panel of Wisconsin-based experts and activists explore ways to combat climate change in your own communities, including how to take advantage of new federal tax breaks for clean energy initiatives.

Planting trees, inflating tires are low-cost ideas

Cristina Carvajal is the founder and executive director of Wisconsin EcoLatinos, a nonprofit that aims to help the Latino community combat environmental hazards. She reminded attendees how the effects of climate change can be distributed unevenly.

“I have been an environmental advocate all my life and I saw how pollution affects people of color, minorities, disadvantaged communities, in a greater proportion than others,” Carvajal said.

Although it might seem obvious or too simplistic, planting trees can go a long way in helping our environment, Carvajal said.

“Trees can reduce pollution. They can reduce the effect of urban heat islands and they can beautify neighborhoods, too,” she said. “That's a very easy action for individuals to take.”

Carvajal concurred with the panel that clean energy is part of the climate change solution. Even if the cost of solar panels and electric cars puts them out of reach for some people, there are things that can be done.

“If you can't get an electric car, you can look for a car that has high fuel efficiency. You can also do the trick of maintaining your tires, (keeping them) well-inflated,” Carvajal said. “It is basic but it's amazing that it adds up, you know, it saves fuel.”

There also are small changes people can make at home that reduce their environmental impact.

Millar took the steps to make her own home efficient and it’s now 100% electric.

“There's no better thing than calling MG&E and saying would you please turn off my gas? ‘What's the problem?’ Not a problem. Just please turn off my gas. I'm not using it anymore,” Millar recalled. “So that was fun.”

Millar recommends accessing the Inflation Reduction Act programs that provide funding to help offset the cost of weatherizing your home. If you’re not a homeowner, Millar emphasized the importance of using mass transit, walking, or biking to reduce motor vehicle use.

Related: Tax credits for green energy updates: Here's how to get yours

Save money and emissions in your home

Stephen Cavill operates Madison Home Performance, a company that provides energy audits for those looking to make their homes more energy efficient. He admits he became passionate about energy efficiency by first improving his own 1950s home in Madison.

“I wasn't thinking about others. I was thinking about myself. I was thinking about my pocketbook,” Cavill said.

After air sealing and insulating his home, Cavill cut his electricity use by 45% and reduced gas use by 50%. He knew he was on to something.

“I kind of drank the Kool-Aid, got super excited and then I started a business doing this and helping people make their homes more safe, more comfortable, more durable and more energy efficient,” Cavill said.

Some of the best environmental changes people can make are the cheapest, he said. Brand new windows or an electric car can certainly help reduce your carbon footprint, but there are less flashy ways to get started, like weatherizing your home.

“It's not glamorous, but that's where you're gonna get huge payback and that's where you're going to lower the heating and cooling needs of your home,” Cavill said.

The state is doing its part in combating climate change as well, Redmond said. In 2022, her office published the state’s first Clean Energy Plan.

“We created this blueprint of actionable strategies that the state can take to … deploy more clean energy technology, optimize energy efficiency, innovate in transportation, and to upgrade and update our buildings and industry,” Redmond said.

The state also can assist people in getting connected with tax breaks and other incentives for environmental efforts, she said.

“The federal government has been really pushing out a lot of funding and opportunities. So we want to bring as much of that money to Wisconsin as possible,” Redmond said.

In addition to federal funding for individual environmental investments, the state is developing a “green innovation fund” to help folks finance the upfront costs to energy efficient infrastructure.

One of the most powerful things people can do to live greener is share information, Cavill said. If you learn how to reduce your carbon footprint, pass it on.

“Then this thing can just become a tree and blossom and we can get the word out about this stuff,” Cavill said.

See also: 5 tips for getting green energy money