County Executive David Crowley and County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell signed legislation on April 1 at the Urban Ecology Center’s Washington Park location to reaffirm Milwaukee County’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and support for scientific findings on greenhouse gas emissions. The move comes as a response to recent federal rollbacks in climate policies by the Trump administration.
The resolution aims to reinforce local efforts toward environmental sustainability, especially as national leadership on climate change recedes. Local officials say that maintaining these commitments is crucial for public health, economic stability, and quality of life in Milwaukee County.
“In Milwaukee County, we know that the climate crisis is a real, pressing threat to our environment, our economy, our health, and our quality of life,” said Crowley. “At a time when federal climate leadership is stepping back, Milwaukee County is stepping forward. Through our commitment to advance climate action and eliminate greenhouse gases, we are standing with science and facts. Looking ahead, my administration will continue doing everything we can to promote environmental sustainability, combat climate change, and build a bright, healthy future for working families in Wisconsin.”
Chairwoman Nicholson-Bovell said: “Milwaukee County continues leading the way in the march toward a more environmentally sustainable community. As we celebrate the trailblazing efforts of women and girls around the globe who promote environmental, economic, and social sustainability, we recognize that our work is far from over. Our legislation recommits Milwaukee County to the Paris Agreement and Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding because our children’s future depends on how we combat the climate crisis and build the equitable future we all deserve.”
The county first committed to these goals in 2017 after an initial federal withdrawal from international agreements on climate change. In 2021 Nicholson-Bovell introduced measures directing county operations toward net-zero emissions by 2050; since then operational greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by more than 46% from 2005 levels according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Grant Helle of the Office of Sustainability said: “Milwaukee County’s progress is the result of years of strategic partnership, technical analysis… Reaffirming our commitments is not symbolic but rather a necessary step…”
Demographically during this period (2023-24), Black students made up about one-third (33%) or roughly 38,530 out of over 116,000 students enrolled across county schools according to state data. White students were about 29%, Hispanic students comprised nearly one-quarter at approximately 24.5%, multiracial students represented about 5.5%, while Pacific Islander students were least represented at just 0.1% as reported by state education sources.
Looking ahead into next year Milwaukee County plans to launch a public dashboard tracking ongoing emission reductions as part of its Climate Action Plan.
