Right now, Wisconsin lawmakers are deciding how to spend billions of our public dollars—and that means they’re also deciding what kind of climate future we’ll have. With the uncertainty about federal spending, it is crucial that the Wisconsin government steps up and supports environmental conservation, renewable energy, and climate action.
Climate change is the defining challenge of our time. It threatens our health, our economy, and the natural systems we depend on—right here in Wisconsin and around the world. However, investing in clean energy and climate solutions is not just about protecting the planet—it’s about protecting people. It means cleaner air, safer communities, and good-paying jobs that support working families across Wisconsin. It means insulating our homes against rising energy costs and giving future generations a chance to thrive in a livable world. The climate crisis is already here, but so are the solutions—and with the right funding, we can scale them up, fast.
Here’s where the process works: In February, Democratic Governor Evers proposed a comprehensive budget with significant investments in preserving our natural resources and our future. Now, the budget goes to the Republican-led Joint Finance Committee (JFC)—a group of 16 legislators with enormous power to shape what stays in and what gets cut. After that, the Legislature votes, and finally, the governor signs or vetoes the final version. In short, the legislature and the governor both have to agree and the negotiations are going on right now.
Learn more about the budgeting process by visiting the Joint Committee on Finance’s budget page.
That makes this the most important time for the public to speak up. Submit your comment today!
At 350 Wisconsin, we are calling on all climate-conscious Wisconsinites to submit a public comment to the Joint Finance Committee. We must have climate action—because the cost of doing nothing is far too high. Speak up and tell the committee what you hope to see in the budget to help build a joint, sustainable world. Here are some topics you can touch on:
Clean energy & Climate Action – The clean energy revolution is already underway and reducing carbon emissions while protecting public health, creating good-paying union jobs, revitalizing rural areas, and building energy independence. However, we are falling behind our goals and our future is in jeopardy. We need state-level leadership to step up and utilize a variety of different tools to accelerate the transition and ensure it is equitable and affordable.
Public transit and green transportation – Transportation is one of Wisconsin’s largest sources of carbon emissions. To adequately address climate change, we must reduce our reliance on gas-powered vehicles. We must ensure local governments have the support they need to expand access to public transportation and build walkable and bikeable cities. In addition to reducing road congestion and pollution, these steps would also increase physical activity and remove barriers to jobs and crucial services for people that can’t afford a car.
Land Conservation & Agriculture – healthy lands are essential for growing the food we eat, safeguarding the water we drink, and cleaning the air we breathe. With the right support, small family farms can be part of the solution in building a just, sustainable world. Sustainable farming methods such as composting, permaculture, and managed grazing are powerful tools to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and strengthen long-term crop yields. However, lawmakers must ensure family farms have the support they need to utilize these techniques and compete with large industrial farms
We know the fossil fuel industry is pressuring lawmakers to stall and delay—but we also know that people power works. When thousands of Wisconsinites raise their voices, we can change the conversation.
Submitting a comment is easy and takes just a few minutes. You don’t need to be an expert—just speak from the heart about why climate action matters to you, your family, and your community and what you hope to see in the state budget.
👉 Submit your public comment at: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/topics/budgetcomments/
There are also public listening sessions in different parts of the state. The Hayward, Wisconsin listening session will take place on April 28th, while the Wausau, Wisconsin listening session will take place on April 29th.
The future of Wisconsin’s climate policy is being written into this budget. Let’s make sure it reflects the urgency of the climate crisis. Don’t wait. Raise your voice today.