SB 237 describes the important role that California agriculture can play in providing climate solutions and support investments in our communities that create jobs and opportunities for innovation. The bill provides guidelines for the eligible uses of cap and trade funds that are allocated to agriculture — specifically for research and demonstration, technical assistance for agricultural producers and processors, and financial incentives for agricultural practices and technologies that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, support climate change adaptation and provide environmental and health co-benefits.
You can download a fact sheet on SB 237 or view the whole text.
Status:
SB 237 passed out of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee with a 5-2 vote on April 4, 2011. It has been held over in the Senate Appropriations Committee, and will be reconsidered in mid-January 2012.
In the meantime, CalCAN continues to cultivate support for the uses of a portion of cap and trade revenue to encourage the widespread use of farming and ranching practices with climate and other environmental benefits.
You can download a sample support letter to send to your Senator and encourage their support of SB 237.
Background:
In a state where water is already scarce, climate change scenarios predict that water supplies will become increasingly constrained. Warming temperatures also threaten to shift the kinds of crops that can be grown in the state. Statewide, the impact of climate change on California agriculture could hamper food and fiber production in the decades to come.
At the same time, agriculture can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Research funded by the California Energy Commission suggests that some agricultural practices not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but may also sequester atmospheric carbon in the soil.
California is proceeding in implementing its climate change law, AB 32, which requires California to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Through implementation of the law, new funds will become available to support greenhouse gas emissions reductions and help the state adapt to climate change.
The Agriculture Climate Benefits Act, SB 237, authored by State Senator Lois Wolk, recognizes the need for agricultural solutions to climate change. SB 237 defines the eligible uses of funds designated to California’s agriculture sector from implementation of the state’s climate change law, including:
- Research and demonstration to examine the farming practices, systems and food processing that reduce GHG emissions, sequester atmospheric carbon and adapt to climate change.
- Technical assistance for producers and processors that communicates research findings into real opportunities for California agriculture to provide voluntary GHG reductions and adaptation activities.
- Incentives to overcome barriers to agricultural practices that mitigate and adapt to climate change while providing environmental and health co-benefits, including improved air and water quality, enhanced wildlife habitat and water conservation.
Supporters:
SB 237 is sponsored by CalCAN, and is currently supported by the following organizations and farms:
Audubon California
Californians Against Waste
California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)
Center for Land-Based Learning
Clean Water Action
Community Alliance with Family Farmers
Dixon Ridge Farms
Ecological Farming Association
Full Belly Farm
Hedgerow Farms
National Center for Appropriate Technology
Organic Farming Research Foundation
Roots of Change
Sierra Orchards
Soil Born Farm Urban Agriculture and Education Project
Wild Farm Alliance
