On Tuesday January 30th, a historic event took place at the Minnesota State Capitol. Will Steger testified in the House Chambers before eight joint House and Senate committees -- over 100 legislators -- about the need to take action now on global warming.

The audience was captivated as Steger spoke about the impacts global warming is having on the Arctic wildlife and human communities, in particular the polar bear and on the Inuit. When he was finished speaking, he received a standing ovation.

"We have to act on this," Steger said. "The populace is demanding it and wants action. This is for anyone who is an elected official now, it's a golden opportunity for us to take some action on this." He shared a list of cities in Minnesota he has given his Eyewitness to Global Warming community forum - emphasizing the breadth of interest across the board from Minnesotans. He concluded with quotations from the Inuit living across the Canadian Arctic. As policy makers concluded the session, they emphasized the role they have as leaders to take bold, aggressive action. They stated their conviction that the opportunity for change is not undaunting and we have solutions before us.

TO HIGHLIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS IN MINNESOTA AND SOLUTIONS

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and Will Steger are joining forces to bring attention to the impact of global climate change in Minnesota and possible solutions.

The announcement was made after both attended a panel discussion on the impact of climate change on Lake Superior’s economy, natural systems and tourism. The panel was part of a conference sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and other organizations.

“Like most Minnesotans, Will and I share a great respect for nature and the outdoors. By highlighting impacts of climate change right here inMinnesota, we hope to bring greater attention to this important issue.”

As Chair of the National Governor’s Association, Pawlenty is leading the Securing a Clean Energy Future initiative that seeks cleaner domestic fuels, advanced electricity generation, improved efficiency and accelerated energy research and development.

“You don’t have to go far to see the impact of climate change or to find ways we can address it,” said Will Steger. “I’m delighted to join with the Governor in this effort.”

Along with a visit to Lake Superior, Pawlenty and Steger have plans to examine the impact of climate change on the state’s northern forests this winter and study of progress being made in alternative fuels, an area of national leadership for Minnesota.

In April, Pawlenty appointed the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group, which includes Steger and representatives from business, utility, environmental, academic, religious organizations, private citizens, farmers, local government, and tribal leaders. The Group is charged with the development of a comprehensive plan for reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by February, 2008.

In summer 2006 and 2007 Will Steger, renowned Arctic explorer and environmental educator, set out across Southern Minnesota to tour locally-owned renewable energy sites in partnership with The Minnesota Project and the Natural Legacy Campaign. The expedition highlighted the economic and energy opportunities produced by Minnesota’s rural communities while emphasizing that Minnesota farmers and their communities hold the key to global warming solutions. Rural communities lead the way in wind power, ethanol, biodiesel, and methane digester development and offer economic opportunity to their communities while bringing cleaner air and energy independence to the nation.

Midwest Renewable Energy Tour

In partnership with nonprofit organizations, congregations, and universities, Will Steger Foundation co-hosts Eyewitness to Global Warming community forums on global warming solutions; the forums are a spark for future public and political action.

Will Steger provides vivid accounts from his observations of global warming in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Will Steger took his Eyewitness to Global Warming message across Minnesota and the Midwest, starting in the fall of 2005. Check out some of our past speaking tours:

• Alaska Eyewitness Tour - April, 2010
  • Tour schedule and announcement
• Clean Energy Forums, April 2010
  • Forum schedule and announcement
• Montana Tour - February, 2010
• Promoting Clean Energy with Business Leaders - February, 2010
• North Dakota Tour - May, 2009
• Kansas Tour - February, 2008
• South Dakota Tour
• The Longest Summer Tour - Midwest - October, 2008
• We support state campaigns such as HIRE Minnesota, Clean Energy Minnesota, national campaigns such as 1sky and 350.org
• We are working with our allies and partners to support biofuel investment and solar energy for Minnesota, clean cars standards and investment in green jobs.

We have worked with government agencies at the state, federal and international level. Example partnerships include:

• We have worked with SUPERVALU – from partnerships with their Government Affairs to Environmental Stewardship through their ValuEarth campaign & Climate Change Panel discussion
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency supports The Longest Summer Tour.
• The Royal Norwegian Embassy and Ministry of Environment in Norway sponsor the 2008 Ellesmere Island Expedition Winter 2007 News of Norway.

We have worked with elected officials across the political spectrum, from collaboration with Minnesota Legislators, the Minnesota and other Midwest congressional leaders, to a 3-part series of community forums with Minnesota’s Governor Tim Pawlenty in 2007:

• Working with US Senator Amy Klobuchar:
  • Carbon Buster Award (Video)
  • MN State Fair (Video)
• Will Steger Testifies Before the MN Legislature
• Governor Pawlenty and Will Steger Partner
• Will Steger has met with former Governor of Kansas Kathleen Sebelius, Wisconsin Governor Doyle and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn as well as Field Directors for U.S. Senators from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana.

“ Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and rising average sea level.” – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report

Focusing on the movement to slow global warming, we work with elected officials at the state, regional, national and international level to create sound energy policies. We believe that Minnesota and the Midwest can demonstrate model climate policy and that the Midwest is integral to any national and international climate policy.

Ensuring we have strong state, regional, and federal climate policies:

• Stabilize CO2 in the atmosphere at 350 ppm
• Cuts emissions in the US by 30-40% from 2005 levels by 2020 and 80% or more by 2050

Advising elected officials on climate solutions:

• Governor Pawlenty's Climate Change Advisory Group
• Renewable Electricity Standard in MN
  • Additional Resources at UCSUSA
• Next Generation Act of 2007

Cultivating Government Partnerships:

• US Environmental Protection Agency Region 5
• Royal Norwegian Embassy and Norwegian Ministry of Environment

Partnering with State and National Campaigns:

• Faith-based & community outreach in Minnesota
• Health Care, Infrastructure and Renewable Energy - HIRE Minnesota campaign for green jobs
• Clean Energy Minnesota
• 1sky campaign - Green jobs; freeze climate pollution - 80% reductions by 2050; no new coal plants
• 350.org - global movement to stabilize emissions at 350 ppm
• UPonGREEN - UPonGREEN (”UP”) is a "United Plan for ProgressTM"; a 'greening' and communications plan for all members of society, accommodating all levels of greenness.
• RE-AMP - Midwest network of nonprofits and foundations working on climate change and energy policy in an eight-state region in the Upper Midwest
• USCAN- the US is an affiliate network of Climate Action Network, a worldwide network of more than 400 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from 85 countries working to promote government, private sector and individual action to limit human-induced climate change to ecologically sustainable levels.