WGF Issues New Analysis: “Strategies for Mitigating Climate Change with Natural and Working Lands”

Wisconsin can help meet our goals to mitigate climate change by investing in the continued productivity of our farms, forests, conservation lands, and in the green infrastructure in our cities. Investing in the health of our working lands is one of Wisconsin’s best economic development opportunities today.

Wisconsin’s more than 33 million acres of forests, farms, and conservation lands cover more than 92% of our state. They play a critical role in absorbing and offsetting carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gas emissions that are the primary cause of climate change.  Together, these “Natural and Working Lands” are a highly productive resource, contributing farm and forest products to our economy, providing recreation opportunities and a high quality of life, and quietly but effectively offsetting CO₂ emissions.

Natural and Working Lands make a significant contribution to cleaner air and reduced warming, with large benefits for soil, water, and people.   By managing our Natural and Working Lands effectively, Wisconsin could offset an additional 16 million tons of CO₂ each year – equal to 20% of our annual net greenhouse gas (GG) emissions.

See our full report “Strategies for Mitigating Climate Change with Natural and Working Lands” here.