None Nature Conservancy News Room Press Releases Search All Press Releases Karen Foerstel kfoerstel@tnc.org

Forestry and Agriculture Sectors Essential to Effective
Climate and Energy Legislation

ARLINGTON, VA — July 14, 2009 — As the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee holds a hearing today on “Economic Opportunities for Agriculture, Forestry Communities, and Others in Reducing Global Warming Pollution,” The Nature Conservancy released the following statement from Eric Haxthausen, Director of U.S. Climate Policy:

“Lowering our country’s greenhouse gas emissions not only will allow the US economy to grow and thrive in the face of future climate threats, but can also save jobs and money in the short term as the country joins the global fight against climate change.

"The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), passed by the House last month, recognizes the critical role the forestry and agriculture communities play in combating climate change, rewarding businesses, land owners and farmers who take action to lower emissions.

"Conserving and restoring forests and improving forest management are among the most cost-effective strategies we have in fighting global warming. By allowing U.S. businesses to invest in forest conservation domestically and abroad, they can act immediately to reduce the world’s greenhouse gasses while more expensive carbon reducing technologies become available in later years.

"Along with allowing businesses to invest in forest conservation, ACES also provides small land owners in the forestry and agriculture sectors direct financial incentives to keep their lands healthy and their emissions low.

"As temperatures grow hotter and rainfall becomes uncertain, forestry and agriculture are among the most threatened industries in the country. But forestry and agriculture also have a powerful role to play in the fight against global warming pollution.

"The destruction of the world’s forests produces nearly 20 percent of all carbon emissions released into the atmosphere each year, more than from all the planes, trains and automobiles on earth.

"And through conservation activities such as low-till soil techniques and capturing methane from manure, the agriculture community can become a leader in lowering the country’s emissions.

"As the Senate moves forward to ensure the agriculture and forestry sectors are a vital part of the solution, we must make sure that all activities to lower greenhouse gas emissions are credible, measurable, verifiable and reportable and make real contributions to the fight against climate change through strong standards and regulations that protect the integrity of the emissions cap.

"Both the agriculture and forestry communities must be included in climate and energy legislation – ensuring they will continue to provide vital services to the American people and the American economy.”

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.