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CalCAN has released a set of recommendations to Governor-elect Jerry Brown. The report, California Agriculture in a Changing Climate: Policy Recommendations for the Next California Governor, includes a range of legislative, administrative and budgetary actions needed to support California agriculture in coping with climate change.
The recommendations include:
- Establish an Office of Climate Change Adaptation, with an agriculture division
- Allocate a portion of cap-and-trade allowance revenue to fund research, technical assistance and on-farm practices that have climate and other environmental benefits
- Establish a farmland mitigation fund to protect farmland and facilitate smart growth
- Remove barriers to on-farm-renewable energy generation
The recommendations were prepared by CalCAN in consultation with advisors and experts in sustainable agriculture.
A press release announcing the report release is included below.
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For Immediate Release
November 29, 2010
Contact: Renata Brillinger, CalCAN
(707) 823-8278 or (707) 536-7619 (c) • renata@calclimateag.org
Farmers Urge Governor-elect Brown to Tackle
Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture
Policy recommendations released by a coalition of sustainable farming advocates
Sacramento, CA —Today, a coalition of farmer, ranchers and advocacy organizations released a set of recommendations to Governor-elect Jerry Brown. The report, entitled California Agriculture in a Changing Climate: Policy Recommendations for the Next California Governor, includes a range of legislative, administrative and budgetary actions needed to support California agriculture in coping with climate change.
Dependent on weather and the availability of natural resources, California agriculture is uniquely vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including predicted water shortages, erratic weather patterns, and new pest and disease pressures.
In addition to enhancing the resilience of agriculture to climate pressures, there is also need to encourage climate-friendly farming and ranching practices. Producing on-farm renewable energy, reducing water and energy use, and increasing the organic material in soils are among the practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon.
“We have the opportunity to support the climate benefits of sustainable agriculture,” said Craig McNamara, owner of Sierra Orchards and founder of the Center for Land-Based Learning. “We look forward to working with Governor- elect Brown to support California agriculture in tackling a changing climate.”
AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Agriculture can offer climate change solutions, but efforts are needed to support agriculture in addressing climate change.
“California’s $37 billion agriculture sector needs leadership from the Governor’s office to help us remain a viable part of the economy in the face of a changing climate,” said Judith Redmond, co-owner of Full Belly Farm and Board member of Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
The recommendations include:
- Establish an Office of Climate Change Adaptation, with an agriculture division
- Allocate a portion of cap-and-trade allowance revenue to fund research, technical assistance and on-farm practices that have climate and other environmental benefits
- Establish a farmland mitigation fund to protect farmland and facilitate smart growth
- Remove barriers to on-farm-renewable energy generation
The recommendations were prepared by the California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN) in consultation with advisors and experts in sustainable agriculture. CalCAN is a coalition of organic and sustainable farming organizations advocating for policies that incentivize climate-friendly agriculture practices that have additional environmental and health co-benefits. A copy of the recommendations is available at: http://www.calclimateag.org
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