News
Unlikely Partners Raise Urgency on Climate Change
February 6, 2006
Contact: Kelly Scanlan 651-247-1047
(ST. PAUL, Minn.) An unlikely new coalition of Minnesotans is coming together to focus attention on the impact of global warming on the state’s economy, recreation, and way of life.
The Minnesota Natural Legacy Campaign (MNLC) is bringing together a wide array of interests, including hunting, fishing, religious leaders and agricultural groups. MNLC was formed in response to mounting scientific warnings of serious, near-term damage to the well-being of Minnesota families and businesses from human induced climate change, and in response to the knowledge that Minnesotans can benefit economically by taking thoughtful action.
The campaign will organize events with business leaders, conservation groups, hunters, anglers, agricultural interests, and religious communities to discuss policy options on the table and look at the threats that climate change poses to Minnesota’s way of life, as well as the opportunities that it presents.
"There is now compelling evidence that global warming poses a huge threat to the prairie pothole region," said outdoor TV host Tony Dean of Pierre, SD. "We need a sensible energy policy that meets America's needs, or we face the threat of losing our waterfowl populations as well as other wildlife associated with wetlands and grasslands."
The coalition members believe the challenge of global warming requires prompt action from our elected leaders in Washington. MNLC is a nonpartisan initiative to make common cause with national leaders from both parties, including Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), who are pushing thoughtful, market-based solutions to this growing international crisis.
Many political analysts believe Minnesota’s Sen. Norm Coleman is a key to national action on this issue. Coleman has been a strong supporter of increased use of bio-fuels and has spoken about the dangers of global warming. He has not yet endorsed mandatory national action on this issue. Senator Mark Dayton has voted for mandatory action.
“The technology that will help us deal with global warming will also help eliminate our dependence on foreign oil. Biofuels and other renewables, as well as the technologies for capturing carbon, will create economic opportunity, particularly here in the upper Midwest,” noted Ken Keller, Director, Center for Science, Technology and Public Policy at the Humphrey Institute, University of MN. “We could be on the cutting edge of technology innovations and become leaders in the global marketplace."