Introduction Climate Projections Agriculture Forests & Wildlife Human Health Lakes, Streams, & Fish Property and Infrastructure Recreation & Tourism Water Supply & Pollution Wetlands & Shorebirds Climate Solutions Resources & Links

Introduction
From the northern lakes and forests that are bordered by Lake Superior to the southeastern Wisconsin till plains that support agriculture, Wisconsin’s economy depends upon its ecosystems and the natural resources they provide. The shorelines of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, as well as Wisconsin’s numerous inland lakes, attract visitors and provide wetland habitat for a wide variety of creaturesl, which present excellent opportunities for wildlife watching, fishing, and hunting.

It is precisely these ecosystems and natural resources that are at risk from climate change. This change is largely driven by human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels to produce electricity and drive our cars, which in turn emits gases—principally carbon dioxide—that blanket the planet and trap heat. The resulting fundamental change in the Earth's atmosphere and climate is affecting people and the environment in the Great Lakes region.

In the Wisconsin section of this web feature, we explore what a changing climate could mean for the state. Specifically, we examine how climate is projected to change in Wisconsin; how these changes may impact human health, agriculture, forests and wildlife, water supplies, property and infrastructure, aquatic ecosystems, as well as tourism and recreation; and how Wisconsin residents can help reduce these potential impacts by pursuing several solutions strategies.

After you’ve learned about the threats that a changing climate pose to Wisconsin, please take a couple of minutes to tell policymakers to begin tackling the problem. This is easy to do on our action pages.