MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – With temperatures rising across the state, experts are concerned about how it is contributing to climate change.
According to UW Madison Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Department Professor Jonathan Martin, September to October of 2024 is the second warmest it’s been since 1938. Martin studies the world’s air flow and said climate change is partially caused by warm winds eroding ice in the north and causes warmer temperatures in Wisconsin.
”It’s definitely climate change,” Martin said. ”The problem is you don’t want to keep accumulating these winds all in one direction, that is warmer, warmer and causing problems around the globe. I think we’re in that situation.”
Madisonians can feel the weather staying warmer longer and they said they enjoy parts of it.
”I feel like we’ve had longer warm days than we do cold,” Kishie Washington said.
”Eighty!?” Deanna Butler said. I’m going to be outside!”
However, Butler and Washington understand climate change is worrisome.
Madison could see record high temperatures this week, experts say it’s a part of climate change(Marcus Aarsvold)
”It’s a cause for worry,” Professor Martin said. “What we’re doing is we’re altering a system where it’s been very very stable for most of our civilization’s time and history. The consequence of altering it without knowing exactly to what degree and in what locations you’re going to alter it puts in peril agriculture production, puts in peril fresh water supplies.”
He said simple actions like turning off the light, conserving energy and trusting experts can combat climate change.
”We know as scientists that it’s on-going, there’s no question about that,” he said. “The fact that there’s a substantial fraction of the population that either wants to ignore it or decides to just flat out lie about it to people with similar feelings and leanings is dangerous.”
Martin also said winter recreation activities and businesses that rely on them have seen a great impact in recent years in Wisconsin.
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