Addressing Climate Change in South Dakota

Statement

South Dakota has been blessed with many natural assets, from the prairie potholes and rich soils of East River, to the vast grasslands and Black Hills of West River, and the farm and range lands and Missouri River in between. These lands and waters and the ecosystems they support played a major role in the development and prosperity of our state. Even as South Dakotans are well accustomed to weather extremes, we've benefited from a climate that has been relatively stable over the past several hundred years. There have been only a few extended deviations outside the "normal" range, like the dust bowl drought of the 1930s.

Unfortunately, South Dakotans can no longer count on that relative climate stability in the future for themselves, their children, and their grandchildren. As detailed in the recently released Third National Climate Assessment, South Dakota is likely to see rising temperatures over the next several decades that will lead to increased demand for water and energy. In addition, changes to crop and forage growth cycles will necessitate new agricultural and livestock management practices. A higher frequency of extreme events, such as droughts, blizzards, and floods, will further stress vulnerable communities. We may have already started to see an increase in the frequency of extreme events in South Dakota, with the 2011 floods, the 2012 drought, and last year's early season blizzard.

I have been concerned about the effects of climate change on our way of life in South Dakota for some time. That is why I have worked to take steps to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and improving the efficiency of our energy use. Our state's long-standing leadership in renewable fuels like wind power and ethanol has helped us be a part of the solution. Right now, about 25% of the electricity generated in South Dakota is from wind turbines. By working to better position our communities and landscapes to respond to changing conditions, we empower our agricultural producers and small businesses to implement improved practices that raise efficiency while preserving resources.

South Dakota has tremendous renewable energy resources and we are well positioned to take the lead in responding to an increasingly changing environment. The threats of climate change provide South Dakotans with an opportunity to grow our crops, raise our livestock, and build our products in better and more efficient ways. I will continue working to support policies that encourage clean energy development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Please join me in the effort to respond to climate change. Together we can make a better life in the great place we call home.

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