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By Dean Muller President, Wisconsin for Environmental Justice As the conflict in the Middle East continues, the "invisible toll" of war has reached the American kitchen table. We are no longer just mourning the brave servicemen and women lost in the initial strikes; we are now paying for a conflict that our domestic energy policy was never built to survive. With the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for 20% of the world’s oil and gas—global markets have sent crude

The arrival of spring brings a sense of renewal to Wisconsin, but it also serves as a stark reminder of the seasonal pressures facing our local infrastructure. As the frost thaws and we look toward the months ahead, Wisconsin for Environmental Justice (WEJ)  is focused on a deadline that cannot be pushed back. Just as the season demands immediate preparation for the year’s growth, our mission requires urgent action to protect our communities from the escalating costs of clima

It seems like a simple math problem: the United States produces more oil than any other nation on Earth, yet American drivers are currently facing a painful spike in fuel costs. With domestic production hitting roughly 13 million barrels a day—surpassing heavyweights like Russia and Saudi Arabia—the logic of energy independence suggests prices should be low. Instead, national averages have surged to $3.84 a gallon, while diesel has climbed past the $5 mark. The explanation fo

Photo from https://ceobs.org/operation-epic-fury-emerging-environmental-harm-and-risks-in-iran-and-the-region/ By Dean Muller, President, Wisconsin for Environmental Justice While the headlines focus on the tactical maneuvers of "Operation Epic Fury," we cannot ignore the catastrophic public health and environmental toll being exacted in the Middle East—one that will eventually have global consequences. Since February 28, the targeting of critical infrastructure has transitio

In recent years, communities across the country have begun exploring legal strategies to address the growing costs of climate impacts. Flooding, infrastructure damage, and public health pressures are increasingly affecting local governments--and many are asking whether taxpayers should be responsible for those costs alone. The movement may seem slow, but we’ve seen a similar path before. It took years for opioid litigation to move through the courts, but those cases ultimatel

By Dean Muller, President, Wisconsin for Environmental Justice  Because Wisconsin has no naturally occurring coal, oil, or natural gas reserves, the state essentially exports its wealth to import 100% of its fossil fuel needs. As of early 2026 , Wisconsin spends approximately $14 billion to $15 billion annually  on importing fossil fuels. 1. The Cost Breakdown This figure represents the "energy drain" -- money that leaves the Wisconsin economy to pay extraction companies and

By Dean Muller, President, Wisconsin for Environmental Justice Having stood at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness , I can tell you that words like "scenic" feel small. It is a place of majestic beauty, a rare, liquid labyrinth where you can still drink directly from the lakes and watch a moose graze in the shallows without the hum of an engine in the distance. But this wilderness is currently the centerpiece of a high-stakes debate. With the recent passage

By Dean Muller, President. Wisconsin for Environmental Justice   The survival of the Winter Olympics depends on two simple ingredients: snow and cold. As global temperatures rise, these essentials are becoming scarce, forcing the world’s most elite athletes to confront a warming planet in real time. What began as a personal observation on the slopes has transformed into a powerful movement, as Olympians trade their medals for microphones to advocate for urgent climate action.

By Dean Muller, President, Wisconsin for Environmental Justice   In an age of rapid technological advancement and ever-expanding urban landscapes, it's easy to feel disconnected from the natural world. We live in towering structures, navigate digital realms, and often see the Earth as little more than a backdrop or a resource to be harnessed. Yet, a profound and ancient truth persists, whispering to us through the rustle of leaves and the crash of waves: "We are the children

By Dean Muller, Wisconsin for Environmental Justice President For the 2025–2026 season, Wisconsin has seen a highly "unusual" winter characterized by wild swings. Here is why the polar vortex is the main culprit: The "Wobbly" Vortex:  Usually, a strong polar vortex acts like a spinning wall, trapping freezing air at the North Pole. This winter, the vortex has been "wobbly" and disrupted by Sudden Stratospheric Warming  (SSW). When it weakens, it doesn't stay over the pole; it

By Dean Muller, President, Wisconsin for Environmental Justice  If you grew up in Wisconsin, you likely remember a specific kind of winter: a steady, reliable blanket of snow that arrived in November and didn’t retreat until the March thaw. You remember backyard rinks that stayed frozen for months and the predictable, dry "snap" of a January cold spell. But take a moment to look out the window today. If you feel like the seasons have lost their rhythm, you aren’t imagining it

Veterans Day - Armistice Day honors America's resilience, tenacity and strength. It is a tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for their cherished homeland. W4EJ, in collaboration with Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Northside Rising, and over 100 similar-minded individuals and organizations visited the Capitol in Madison as a gesture of respect for the land they valiantly defended. We advocated for: The Climate Accountability Act Requires the State Legislature to pass a c

The Wisconsin Network for Peace & Justice (WNPJ) is a network of 90_member organizations throughout Wisconsin and was founded and incorporated as a 501c3 nonprofit organization of 1991. WPNJ is a coalition of activist groups and citizens of conscience within Wisconsin.

By Dean Muller, President of Wisconsin for Environmental Justice It's easy to get scared by the monsters on the big screen, but the true terror lies in something far more pervasive and real: our global dependence on fossil fuels. This addiction to coal, oil, and natural gases is not just an abstract problem; it's a relentless, horrific force that is actively degrading our planet's air, water, and the very health of its inhabitants. It's a slow-motion disaster that far eclipse

By Dean Muller, President of Wisconsin for Environmental Justice In a crushing setback for recovery efforts, a request for vital federal funding to repair public infrastructure severely damaged by this summer’s historic flooding in the greater Milwaukee area has been denied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This refusal leaves local governments and, ultimately, taxpayers to grapple with the fallout from an estimated $26.5 million in damages. This is a preci

Xun Xiao and Niansheng Xu are thrilled to witness a remarkable transformation in solar energy technology! As the world embraces renewable...

By Dean Muller, President of Wisconsin for Environmental Justice  The recent catastrophic floods that swept through Texas, claiming...

By Dean Muller, President, Wisconsin for Environmental Justice  The phrase “if we can put a man on the moon” has long been a shorthand...

Dean Muller, President, If you were to sidle up to the bar at Cheers and ask Boston's most dedicated mailman, Cliff Clavin, for his...

Dean Muller, President, RethinkX is a respected, independent think tank known for its highly accurate forecasts on technology-driven...