As an environmental scientist by undergraduate degree, I have a keen interest in maintaining our natural resources and protecting delicate ecosystems that, if depleted, will be gone forever. I also know, however, that this common-sense stewardship can be attained simultaneously with many other aspects of American life--many of which are vilified by more extreme activists.

I do not believe, (based on inconclusive scientific evidence), in man-made global warming--or cooling, for that matter. Our planet goes through natural cycles of warming and cooling and there is no evidence to suggest that anything we do (either as Americans specifically or humans in general) contributes to climate change. Unfortunately, chasing this false premise has been more economically destructive than anything man has inflicted on the environment in thousands of years. Namely, the "scare" of global warming has had a dramatic impact on everything from food production to SUV manufacturing and sales--both of which have led to job loss and economic hardship in this country and right here in Wisconsin.

Further, it is absurd and potentially economically disastrous to implement programs like "cap-and-trade" or restrictive vehicle emissions standards. Neither of these types of programs actually make a significant enough change on a regional--let alone a global scale--to justify the direct and indirect costs of doing such.

I support responsible environmental policies that maintain or restore a natural habitat while simultaneously maintaining the needs of our state and our nation.