New Alliance Calls for Forests and Farms to be Part of Climate Legislation
In a letter to the authors of the Senate energy and climate bill, a wide array of organizations and companies today insisted on inclusion of strong incentives for forests (including domestic and tropical forests) and farms in any climate legislation.
"By providing an affordable means to address climate change, public and private incentives (such as offsets) for forests and farms can help Americans save money while leading the way to a low carbon economy," said the letter.
The letter also discussed the benefits of protecting tropical rainforests for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and workers.
"Protecting these forests will also help level the playing field for U.S. agriculture and forest products industries by reducing illegal logging and forest conversion in tropical countries, ensuring fair competition in wood, pulp, beef, leather, soybeans, and other global markets," the letter said.
Letter signatories include: American Bird Conservancy, American Electric Power , American Forest and Paper Association, American Forest Foundation , Avoided Deforestation Partners, Coalition for Emission Reduction Projects , Conservation Forestry , Conservation International, Dominion, Duke Energy , Environmental Defense Fund, Green Diamond Resource Company , Hardwood Federation , Maine Forest Service, Marriott International , National Alliance of Forest Owners, National Association of State Foresters, National Farmers Union, National Wildlife Federation, New Forests , NorthWestern Energy, Ohio Corn Growers Association, Pacific Forest Trust , PG&E Corporation, Pinchot Institute, Sierra Club, Society of American Foresters, The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, Union of Concerned Scientists , the Washington Forest Protection Association and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
To read the full letter click here.
For a factsheet about the benefits of tropical rainforest protection to U.S. agriculture and timber industries, click here.