In times of political uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — especially when our environment is on the line. We’re witnessing efforts to roll back clean energy progress, ignore climate change, and silence the voices calling for environmental justice. But here’s the good news: Clean Wisconsin is prepared for this moment.
For 55 years, we’ve stood as Wisconsin’s environmental watchdog, defending the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the places we call home. We’ve seen daunting challenges before, and we’ve learned that resilience, strategy, financial strength and persistence win the fight. This moment is no different.
President Trump’s return to office brings renewed threats to environmental protection. His first term saw reckless rollbacks of clean air and water standards, a disregard for climate science, and an open-door policy for polluters. We know what to expect—and we know how to fight back.
Our strategic plan anticipated this possibility, and we’ve built a roadmap to protect Wisconsin’s environment no matter what is happening in Washington. As our state and local work becomes more important than ever, we’re already taking steps to advance these key initiatives:
- Our Environmental Health Initiative will help communities and individuals exposed to PFAS, nitrates, and other dangerous contaminants in our air and water. Through science-based advocacy, Clean Wisconsin will support strong environmental protections and secure resources that will improve public health.
- Our State-Federal Initiative is ready to push back on federal rollbacks while advancing clean energy and water protections at the state level. We’ll show Congressional decision-makers a model for progress in Wisconsin, and how legal, policy and funding changes will impact their communities.
- Our Resilient Communities Initiative is helping Milwaukee-area communities adapt to climate change and extreme weather events. We are listening to community concerns and supporting their priorities with the expertise of Clean Wisconsin’s science, policy, legal and communications teams.
- Our Local Power Initiative is accelerating the transition to clean energy while protecting drinking water across Wisconsin. We are working closely with rural communities, local leaders, and organizations throughout our state to address misinformation and tackle big issues with science and guidance on community-level action.
- Our core policy work inside the capitol and state agencies won’t slow down either, though we anticipate reinforcing and expanding our legal program, because when policy fails, the courts remain a critical line of defense.
Despite the many daunting challenges ahead, there is plenty of reason for optimism in Wisconsin: while anti-environment forces push their agenda nationally, Wisconsin is moving in the right direction. In the last election, voters sent more pro-environment leaders to the State Legislature, giving us new opportunities to advance protections for our water, air, and climate. And State action has never been more important. Wisconsin has the power to lead.
Senator Gaylord Nelson said, “The economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment, not the other way around.” That truth remains. We will not allow short-sighted politics to jeopardize the health of our communities or the future of our planet. We’re ready for this fight, but we can’t do it without you. Your donations support our initiatives and fuel every battle we take on—from legal action and legislative advocacy to community-based solutions. The fight for a clean Wisconsin is one we can win—because we have the strategy, the strength, and the support of people like you.
Thank you for standing with Clean Wisconsin.
Mark Redsten
President & CEO, Clean Wisconsin
