Washington-Some 76 sustainable agriculture and environmental groups sent a letter to Senate leaders on July 13 urging them to pass comprehensive climate change and energy legislation in this session of Congress, and to include measures to encourage sustainable farming practices. “Agriculture is especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of rapid and unpredictable global climate change,” said Martha Noble, a policy analyst for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. “Our farmers and ranchers will need federal resources, including conservation technical assistance and research, to cope with and adapt to regional climate changes.” The letter called climate change and energy legislation an “essential first step in addressing the wide-ranging climate threats and opportunities facing U.S. agriculture,” and admonished lawmakers to include “support for the agricultural sector to move towards sustainable practices with scientifically proven climate benefits for both mitigation of emissions and adaptation of agriculture to changing conditions.” The letter took a few swipes at conventional agriculture and the use of synthetic fertilizers. “Current research indicates that many sustainable and organic agriculture practices, such as using cover crops, leaving crop residue on fields, managed rotational grazing, and reducing or eliminating the use of synthetic fertilizers, can all contribute to reducing our nation’s GHG emissions,” the letter said. “By implementing innovative and sustainable farming practices we can reduce the heat-trapping gases emitted from farming and increase the amount of carbon stored in the soil on those farms.” Noble said the type of legislation the groups are advocating can provide a “win-win situation” for farmers and ranchers. “Not only will it enable them to better deal with rapid climate change, it can also significantly improve the conservation and economic performance of their farms and ranches,” she said.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain