Biodiversity Project Releases New Resource Kit for Journalists Backgrounders cover biodiversity

For Immediate Release April 9, 2003
Contact:   Jane Elder
               Biodiversity Project
               (608) 250-9876
               jelder@biodiverse.org

(Madison, WI) A recent survey by the Biodiversity Project reveals strong support among Great Lakes residents for global warming solutions recommended by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and the Ecological Society of America in their new report, Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes: Impacts on Our Communities and Ecosystems. (Report can be downloaded at www.ucsusa.org/greatlakes)

“Confronting Climate Change provides a valuable service by explaining what actions are needed to protect the Great Lakes and the region from the impacts of global warming,” said Jane Elder, Executive Director of the Biodiversity Project. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the UCS recommends minimizing human pressures on the environment, including protecting water supplies and aquatic habitats, and reducing urban sprawl. “The fact that so many Great Lakes residents already support several of the recommendations means the public is ready for meaningful action now.”

In the Biodiversity Project’s 2002 survey, (Protecting the Great Lakes: Responsibility to Awareness to Action) 82% of respondents identified preventing new construction on wetlands around the lakes as one effective way to protect the Great Lakes. In the same series, 77% agreed that reducing the rate at which communities are paving over farmland or other natural areas would also be effective. When asked whether global warming would hurt the Great Lakes, 41% responded that it would hurt somewhat, and another 27% said it would hurt a great deal. The survey also showed support for a variety of water conservation strategies, and an overwhelming 94% of the respondents agreed that protecting the Great Lakes is a personal responsibility.

“Our survey clearly demonstrates widespread support in the Great Lakes region for common sense solutions that will reduce the impacts of global warming and help us protect the Great Lakes ecosystem.” Elder said. “In light of the sobering news detailed in Confronting Climate Change, we can only hope that this level of support is enough to give policymakers the courage to act.”

The survey consisted of a telephone survey of 1,539 adults in July, 2002, conducted in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and parts of New York and Pennsylvania. The margin of error for the survey is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points. Participants answered a wide array of questions about their attitudes towards the Great Lakes and about which steps they believed would be most effective in protecting the Lakes.

The Biodiversity Project, a Madison, Wisconsin-based nonprofit, designs and implements innovative communication strategies that help people make the connection between their daily lives and Earth’s living systems. For complete survey click here.

	Over 80% of Great Lake Residents Give Thumbs Up To Global Warming Solutions: Survey reveals strong support for state & federal actions protecting the Great Lakes. Press Release
	For Immediate Release April 9, 2003 Contact: Jane Elder Biodiversity Project (608) 250-9876 jelder@biodiverse.org (Madison, WI) A recent survey by the Biodiversity Project reveals strong support among Great Lakes residents for global warming solutions recommended by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and the Ecological Society of America in their new report, *Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes: Impacts on Our Communities and Ecosystems.* (Report can be downloaded at www.ucsusa.org/greatlakes) “Confronting Climate Change provides a valuable service by explaining what actions are needed to protect the Great Lakes and the region from the impacts of global warming,” said Jane Elder, Executive Director of the Biodiversity Project. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the UCS recommends minimizing human pressures on the environment, including protecting water supplies and aquatic habitats, and reducing urban sprawl. “The fact that so many Great Lakes residents already support several of the recommendations means the public is ready for meaningful action now.” In the Biodiversity Project’s 2002 survey, (Protecting the Great Lakes: Responsibility to Awareness to Action) 82% of respondents identified preventing new construction on wetlands around the lakes as one effective way to protect the Great Lakes. In the same series, 77% agreed that reducing the rate at which communities are paving over farmland or other natural areas would also be effective. When asked whether global warming would hurt the Great Lakes, 41% responded that it would hurt somewhat, and another 27% said it would hurt a great deal. The survey also showed support for a variety of water conservation strategies, and an overwhelming 94% of the respondents agreed that protecting the Great Lakes is a personal responsibility. “Our survey clearly demonstrates widespread support in the Great Lakes region for common sense solutions that will reduce the impacts of global warming and help us protect the Great Lakes ecosystem.” Elder said. “In light of the sobering news detailed in Confronting Climate Change, we can only hope that this level of support is enough to give policymakers the courage to act.” The survey consisted of a telephone survey of 1,539 adults in July, 2002, conducted in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and parts of New York and Pennsylvania. The margin of error for the survey is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points. Participants answered a wide array of questions about their attitudes towards the Great Lakes and about which steps they believed would be most effective in protecting the Lakes. The Biodiversity Project, a Madison, Wisconsin-based nonprofit, designs and implements innovative communication strategies that help people make the connection between their daily lives and Earth’s living systems. For complete survey click here.