One Simple Thing You Can Do Right Now for Wisconsin Communities

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 ultimately resulted in major settlements that are now delivering billions of dollars to states and local governments. Wisconsin communities are already receiving funding to support communities and programs.

Climate accountability cases are now moving along a comparable timeline. Dozens of states, cities, and counties have filed lawsuits seeking to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for the costs of climate-related damages. Courts across the country are beginning to rule that many of these cases can proceed (read more about current cases here).

Counties are beginning to evaluate whether similar legal strategies could help address the growing costs communities are facing.

If you want to help move this conversation forward in Wisconsin, one simple step is to encourage your elected officials to learn more.

Send a short email to your Governor, Attorney General, or local officials asking them to meet with W4EJ President Dean Muller -- and be sure to cc Dean at dean.muller@yahoo.com so he can help coordinate follow-up.

Click the button below for a pre-filled email:

Send Your Email

Or copy and paste the message below:

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Dear [Elected Official's Name],

As a constituent, I urge you to meet with Dean Muller, President of Wisconsin for Environmental Justice (W4EJ), to discuss strategies that could help address the growing climate-related costs facing our communities.

Across the country, communities are exploring ways to address the financial impacts of climate change, including damage to infrastructure, public health systems, and local budgets.

Wisconsin has already seen how accountability efforts - like the opioid settlements - returned significant resources to communities while helping reduce the burden on taxpayers. Exploring whether similar approaches could help address climate-related costs deserves thoughtful consideration.

I have cc’d Dean Muller to help facilitate a conversation and respectfully request that you schedule a brief meeting.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

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A short conversation today could help our communities prepare for the costs of tomorrow.