Dave’s Nature News – Aug, 2025

As a career environmental (protection) engineer, I’ve been utilizing my semi-retirement by going in harm’s way... environmental harm that is! Since 1985, I’ve worked with others to significantly reduce acid rain and ambient air pollutants such as SO2, NOx, PM, VOCs and more toxic emissions such as lead, mercury, dioxins, etc. 

Still, after all these years, the big one that got away is CO2. It’s been emitted by the Giga-ton for decades and its effect is cumulative and long lasting. This fact is based on simple chemistry and decades of empirical evidence. All efforts to label CO2 as s “pollutant” are still being fought by paid lobbyists. Nonetheless, CO2 control, along with that of methane and other greenhouse gases (CO2 equivalents) are my new focus.

Here’s a brief summary of my efforts so far this year:
1. Appeared on behalf of Hunt Hills Audubon Nature Center and gave a 1-hour presentation entitled “Living off the Grid”. 40 folks attended, many with great questions!

2. Earth Day Op-Ed article entitled “Environmental Protection: The Road Ahead” was
published in the Easter weekend editions of Eau Claire–Leader Telegram and Up North News.

3. Commented in writing to 9 legislators, 2 senators and 1 governor asking them to take the science seriously and not cut funding. This will adversely impact our progress and future.

4. My proposal submitted to the WI Conservation Congress entitled “Let’s Grow Wisconsin’s Forests” was accepted by WDNR for a special public hearing with the WI Land Use Committee Hearing set for Dec 1, 2025.

5. Accepted volunteer position on 350-Wisconsin’s Policy Board of Directors.

6. Visited Washington DC (the Hill) July 20-23, 2025 to lobby congress along with 800 other (mostly volunteer) lobbyists from CCL (Citizen’s Climate Lobby). My rep was a no-show but Iwas re-inspired by our numbers and by the intelligent, dedicated individuals I spoke with.

7. Scheduled to present off-grid living presentation and workshop at Beaver Creek Reserve (Fall Creek) November 14-15, 2025

8. Working to promote cooperation and synergy between Wisconsin’s several non-profit
environmental groups. I’m not yet convinced we’re all on the same page.

9. Working on informative and compelling environmental protection posters for public education. 

Clearly, global warming/climate change is not going away. I believe the solutions are out there. Our descendants will be negatively impacted by this recent reckless administrative policy shift towards more denial and disinformation. The latest attacks on renewable energy sources are eroding our efforts and impeding real progress. Wishful thinking will not work and we’re simply leaving all the heavy lifting to our children. Let’s not do that.

Thinking globally, acting locally.

Dave

David R Welder
Author/Engineer/Naturalist
davidwelder8@gmail.com