TAKE ACTION: Support Climate Change Legislation

Science demonstrates that agriculture has a significant role to play in combating climate change, but it requires a very deliberate shift toward climate-friendly farming practices. Organic agriculture is the best example of a holistic, climate-friendly system of farming. Embedded within the organic regulations are soil health requirements that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon in the soil, and help mitigate the effects of the climate chaos farmers now face and will be challenged with going forward.

Legislation has been introduced: Agriculture Resilience Act

Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced climate change legislation in early 2020, the Agriculture Resilience Act (H.R. 5861). This bill will increase research and incentivize the adoption of climate-friendly farming practices with the goal of creating a food and farm system that first achieves net zero carbon emissions and then goes further to be carbon positive by sequestering carbon dioxide in the soil. The National Organic Coalition strongly endorses this legislation and will work for its enactment. Learn more.

ASK YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO CO-SPONSOR THE AGRICULTURE RESILIENCE ACT

Is your Representative a co-sponsor of the legislation? Here is the list of current co-sponsors: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5861/cosponsors

If your Representative is not yet on this list, email your Representative to ask him or her to co-sponsor this important legislation using the email template below. If your Representative is already a co-sponsor, email your Representative to say thank you!

Then send the National Organic Coalition a quick email to let us know about your outreach: Abby@NationalOrganicCoalition.org

EMAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE

Find your Representative’s email: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

Dear Representative xxx,

As we all deal with the most immediate crises facing our country, the climate change crisis has received less attention. We must not, however, lose sight of the critically important work that remains to address climate change and provide future generations with a livable planet. We recognize, also, that climate change has a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable communities in our society and around the world.

For this reason, I am asking you to act now to endorse the Agriculture Resilience Act (H.R. 5861), legislation that was introduced in February by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME).

The Agriculture Resilience Act provides meaningful incentives for farmers to shift to the use of agricultural practices that promote soil health and carbon sequestration, such as composting, cover cropping, and crop rotations, that are already being implemented by certified organic operations. In addition, the bill would increase funding across U.S. Department of Agriculture programs for research and extension to ensure that farmers have access to the best science possible on which practices they can implement on their farms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon in the soil.

We urge you to take this step towards addressing climate change by endorsing the Agriculture Resilience Act (H.R. 5861). Thank you for your attention to these critically important concerns.

Sincerely,

Your name and organization (if applicable)

Your town and state (to demonstrate that you are a constituent)

Abby YoungbloodJune 22, 2020