SAFEGUARDING WISCONSIN’S WATER RESOURCES IN A CHANGING CLIMATE

Paul Robbins, Director of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at U. W. Madison, discussed how we will see a global population of 9-10 billion people and then it will level off by 2050. Most people will live in cities. Our climate is changing. It is estimated that the drought in the Midwest made the GDP 1% off over its duration making it the most expensive national disaster in American history. Winter temperatures have warmed more than any other season in recent decades especially in northeastern Wisconsin. The duration of ice cover has decreased by 19 days over the last 100 years. We have had warmer fall temperatures, later freeze dates and earlier ice break up dates. From 1950-2006, we have had higher precipitation levels most by big storm events. The frequency of events of 2” or more has doubled since 1950 making the water harder to use. Projected seasonal temperature changes in 2055 will average 6º higher. The models project winter and early spring up to 40% wetter, more precipitation will fall in extreme events and winter precipitation is more likely to fall in the form of rain. Wisconsin has many water resources: 800 miles of coastline from Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, 200 miles of the Mississippi River, 15,000 lakes, 13,500 miles of navigable rivers, 5.5 million acres of wetlands and 1.2 quadrillion gallons of groundwater. There are many impacts of climate change such as the demand for water and groundwater will increase with warmer temperatures, harmful blue green algae blooms will occur more frequently with increased summer temperatures, sediment and nutrient loading will increase due to early and more intense spring runoff events, and water level flow rates and temperatures in streams and lakes will be affected impacting fish. There are ways to adapt to the changes around these water resources. A “no regret” approach takes actions that will provide a benefit across any and all future climate scenarios, focus on actions that can save time and resources and are cost effective in the long run, build upon existing efforts, and engage diverse stakeholders in planning and implementation. An example of this is how U. W. Oshkosh built a biodigester, the first commercial scale dry fermentation unit. It can use the waste from food, agriculture and yards to produce energy at a minimum cost. It reduces excess nutrients in the Lake Winnebago watershed, reduces the pressure on landfills and creates jobs. The insurance industry, especially reinsurers, is also focusing on climate change for risk profile decisions. The Nelson Institute is built around 4 core visions/values: discovering through interdisciplinary science and training, convening the public on campus to debate complicated issues, translating scientific results to the public and engaging the undergraduates and graduate students to be out in the public to do service learning and internships. The Institutes areas of expertise include: Center for Climate Research, Land Tenure Center, Center for Sustainability and Global Environment, and the Center for Culture, History and Environment. The 7th Annual Nelson Institute Earth Day Conference will be held on Monday, April 15 where Dr. Jane Goodall and Celine Cousteau will be speaking. What do communities and businesses need from universities to adapt to a changing world? What do we value that might be at risk due to climate change? Are some priorities worth paying for? What do you value that is beyond a price?