Wisconsin Governor Doyle, Former Prime Minister Blair Commit to Combating Climate Change

March 03, 2009 -- WASHINGTON D.C. – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today was joined by former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair and other international and national leaders in committing to combat global climate change. Governor Doyle participated in the symposium “U.S. Climate Change Action: A Global Economic Perspective” to discuss how U.S. firms can capture opportunities in, and help to build, a low-carbon economy. Other participants in the symposium were business leaders Jeff Immelt of GE, Jim Rogers of Duke Energy, Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures and John Chambers of Cisco. Other Governors participating were Jennifer Granholm of Michigan and Tim Kaine of Virginia.

“Global warming demands aggressive action at the international, national, state, local and individual levels,” Governor Doyle said. “By combining Wisconsin’s knowledge, skills and resources with those of our global neighbors, we can develop the solutions necessary to generate new technologies, new businesses, new jobs for our citizens, and a cleaner and safer world for generations to come.”

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At the symposium Governor Doyle discussed Midwest regional climate change efforts and opportunities to grow green jobs. He also stressed the importance of using money dedicated to energy in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to maximize job creation, energy independence and address climate change.

The symposium is being organized by three leading Washington think tanks, the Center for Global Development, the Peterson Institute for International Economics, and the World Resources Institute, together with the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at London School of Economics and Political Science.

Since coming into office, Governor Doyle has worked to make Wisconsin and the Midwest a leader in renewable energy. As Chairman of the Midwestern Governors Association, Governor Doyle spearheaded a regional strategy to achieve energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming that culminated with 10 Governors signing the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord.

In November, Governor Doyle co-hosted the Governors’ Global Climate Summit in Los Angeles. The international summit brought together state and world leaders to develop creative, collaborative actions to advance the global climate agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that will be negotiated in Copenhagen in December. The Governors’ summit also provided an opportunity for states and provinces to partner to reduce emissions and grow green economies.

Last March, Governor Doyle signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United Kingdom (U.K.) and Wisconsin on climate change issues. The agreement, signed by Governor Doyle and Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Minister of Parliament, encourages collaboration between Wisconsin and the U.K. in researching and sharing new technologies, experiences, and solutions, as well as efforts to educate the public on global climate issues.

Governor’s plan for energy independence includes: Generating 25 percent of our electricity and 25 percent of the fuels for our cars and trucks from renewable sources by the year 2025; capturing 10 percent of the market share for renewable energy and bioproducts, and utilizing Wisconsin’s tremendous capability for research to become the country’s leader in making alternative energies more affordable and available to all.

Source: Wisconsin Governor