Contact: Eric Deeble, Policy Director,
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
edeeble@sustainableagriculture.net
Agriculture Needs Multifaceted Climate Solutions
Congress and USDA Should Prioritize Existing Conservation, Agricultural Research, and Rural Economic Development Programs
Washington, DC, February 25th, 2021 – This comment was issued on Thursday, February 25, 2021 in response to the hearing “Climate Change and the U.S. Agriculture and Forestry Sectors” held by the House Agriculture Committee.
“We thank the House Agriculture Committee for holding a hearing on the critical issue of climate change, covering both the challenges and opportunities for farmers and ranchers. We are hopeful that this will be the first of many future hearings and opportunities to discuss this topic in upcoming months,” said Eric Deeble, Policy Director at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC).
As Chairman Scott (D-GA) expressed, agriculture is a critical sector in the climate crisis – its viability is threatened by it, and simultaneously the sector has immense potential to help mitigate this crisis. Farmers and ranchers are committed to being part of the solution to the climate crisis. They have unique tools, practices, and knowledge to help mitigate the impacts of climate change on their farms and ranches and, with additional support, they can play a role in reversing the climate crisis.
“While it’s encouraging to see widespread support for agriculture’s involvement in climate change adaptation and mitigation, we urge legislators and USDA leadership to prioritize existing conservation, agricultural research, and rural economic development programs that can be rapidly expanded and improved to give farmers the tools and resources they need to take immediate action. An effective response to the climate crisis also calls for reform of commodity and crop insurance programs to bring them into alignment with net zero goals. This is essential as Congress and the Administration begin to consider and develop holistic approaches to addressing climate change, which threatens our food and national security and the future of agriculture,” said Deeble.
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About the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. Learn more and get involved at: https://sustainableagriculture.net