Climate One Radio
Description for: Crops, Cattle and Carbon

Guests:
Cynthia Cory, Director of Environmental Affairs, California Farm Bureau Federation
Paul Martin, Director of Environmental Services, Western United Dairymen
Jeanne Merrill, California Climate Action Network
Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture

Description:

Food is increasingly recognized as a big part of the greenhouse gas equation. Advocates see opportunities for emission reductions. But do farmers, ranchers and dairymen see opportunities for revenues or just regulatory headaches? That a serious conversation about agriculture and climate change even exists in California is largely thanks to passage of the state’s landmark climate change law, AB32.

Cynthia Cory says the way to sell this new reality to family farmers, is to focus on the bottom line. “What they think makes sense,” she says, “Is energy efficiency.”

Jeanne Merrill explains that AB32’s proposed carbon trading system would enable a farm “to reduce emissions voluntarily.” And a cap-and-trade system would generate revenue which could “assist California agriculture to remain viable when temperatures rise and water becomes more constrained.”

Paul Martin says farmers should be guided by a three-legged stool of sustainability: ethical production, scientific and environmental responsibility, and economic performance.

Karen Ross expresses optimism that young people will carry this process forward. “There’s a renewed interest in where our food comes from, how it’s produced and who is producing it.” She highlights the role of cities in shaping a more sustainable food policy. “Cities are saying, ‘We can do something about this.’ It’s about identifying open plots for community gardens. It’s about making sure access to nutritious, locally grown food is available. It’s about understanding what it takes to help those farmers on the urban edge, or right in our local communities.”

This program was recorded in front of a live audience at the Commonwealth Club of California, San Francisco on June 14, 2011.

Climate One Radio
Description for: Crops, Cattle and Carbon

Guests:
Cynthia Cory, Director of Environmental Affairs, California Farm Bureau Federation
Paul Martin, Director of Environmental Services, Western United Dairymen
Jeanne Merrill, California Climate Action Network
Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture

Description:

Food is increasingly recognized as a big part of the greenhouse gas equation. Advocates see opportunities for emission reductions. But do farmers, ranchers and dairymen see opportunities for revenues or just regulatory headaches? That a serious conversation about agriculture and climate change even exists in California is largely thanks to passage of the state’s landmark climate change law, AB32.

Cynthia Cory says the way to sell this new reality to family farmers, is to focus on the bottom line. “What they think makes sense,” she says, “Is energy efficiency.”

Jeanne Merrill explains that AB32’s proposed carbon trading system would enable a farm “to reduce emissions voluntarily.” And a cap-and-trade system would generate revenue which could “assist California agriculture to remain viable when temperatures rise and water becomes more constrained.”

Paul Martin says farmers should be guided by a three-legged stool of sustainability: ethical production, scientific and environmental responsibility, and economic performance.

Karen Ross expresses optimism that young people will carry this process forward. “There’s a renewed interest in where our food comes from, how it’s produced and who is producing it.” She highlights the role of cities in shaping a more sustainable food policy. “Cities are saying, ‘We can do something about this.’ It’s about identifying open plots for community gardens. It’s about making sure access to nutritious, locally grown food is available. It’s about understanding what it takes to help those farmers on the urban edge, or right in our local communities.”

This program was recorded in front of a live audience at the Commonwealth Club of California, San Francisco on June 14, 2011.