NSAC Blog: Comprehensive Climate And Agriculture Legislation Introduced In U.S. House
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By: National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition The New Deal had its Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) to address the pressing farm issues of its day in a powerful new way, one that became the predecessor of all subsequent federal farm bills. This week, Maine farmer and Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced the Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA) to address the most pressing farm issue of our day: climate change. The bill establishes a set of aggressive but realistic goals for farmers to help mitigate climate change and increase agricultural resilience, starting with the overarching goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. agriculture by no later than 2040. The legislation’s substantive programmatic sections are divided into six additional titles – agricultural research, soil health, farmland preservation and viability, pasture-based livestock, on-farm renewable energy, and food waste. Each of those titles of the bill also have 2040 goals (and 2030 interim goals) attached to them, such as retaining year round cover on at least 75 percent of cropland acres, eliminating farmland and grassland conversion, increasing crop-livestock integration by at least 100 percent, tripling on-farm renewable energy production, and reducing food waste by 75 percent. The bill directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop detailed action plans to help attain each of the goals. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and many of its member organizations helped to develop the legislation and have endorsed the bill. We applaud Representative Pingree for her vision and leadership in setting the table for the critical legislative phase that must follow if agriculture is to survive and thrive and be part of the solution to the climate crisis. For further information, please see Representative Pingree’s press release, the emerging list of endorsements, NSAC’s press comment, and the section-by-section summary of the bill. Some of the extensive press coverage of the bill can be viewed here, here, and here. For further information, please see Representative Pingree’s press release, the emerging list of endorsements, NSAC’s press comment, and the section-by-section summary of the bill. Some of the extensive press coverage of the bill can be viewed here, here, and here. Click Here for the complete NSAC Blog post. For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and more, visit the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition website. NewsClips: Support Local Journalism: Read A Week’s Worth Of Environment & Energy NewsClips Related Articles - Climate: Op-Ed: PA Can Transform America’s Energy Landscape - Again By Joining RGGI By Susan Dio, Chairman & President Of BP America Op-Ed: Climate Change Is Both A Spiritual And A Moral Issue - Rev. Sandy Strauss Rep. Metcalfe Calls Out DEP Secretary For Evasive RGGI Non-Answers During Budget Hearing Funding For Renewable Energy, Energy Conservation Projects Available From Sustainable Energy Funds Student Finds Bright Future In Solar Energy; Seeks To Enroll Solar Farm In CREP Feed Supplement For Dairy Cows Cuts Their Methane Emissions From Belching By About A Quarter Related Articles - Farming: Dept. Of Agriculture Commits To Review Of “Deadly” Pesticide Chlorpyrifos NRCS-PA: Applications Dates For Conservation Assistance Programs Extended Efforts To Stop Spotted Lanternfly Are Ongoing For Penn State, Agencies CBF Penn’s Waters: Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership To Shine With Innovation In Its Third Year Feed Supplement For Dairy Cows Cuts Their Methane Emissions From Belching By About A Quarter Agriculture Announces $1 Million In Research Grants To Combat Chronic Wasting Disease In PA Deer Help Wanted: Centre County Conservation District Manager [Posted: February 28, 2020] |
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3/2/2020 |
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