Climate Change Solutions - December 6, 2022 | Newsletter

Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

With the Farm Bill at the top of Congress's agenda next year, this week's newsletter is focused on agricultural climate solutions. Agriculture is responsible for more than 10 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the sector is vulnerable to climate change impacts such as drought.

Below, we dig into legislation that aims to build climate resilience through cover crops and opportunities to address the potent climate pollutant nitrous oxide, which is primarily released through agricultural practices.

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Cover Crop Bill Could Turn Over a New Leaf in Sustainable Agriculture
[3 min read]

Cover crops are a key conservation practice for building soil health, absorbing greenhouse gases, and bolstering climate resilience. The Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program (COVER) Act, introduced by Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) in July, would provide incentives to farmers who plant cover crops. [click for more]

Laughing Gas Is No Joke: The Forgotten Greenhouse Gas
[4 min read]

Nitrous oxide, laughing gas, is a powerful greenhouse gas that has nearly 300 times the warming power of carbon dioxide. The gas is often emitted through agricultural and wastewater processes, and this article covers measures that can be taken to reduce such emissions. [click for more]

COP27: Key Announcements, Reports, and U.S. Leaders at the 2022 U.N. Climate Summit

EESI tracked numerous announcements, reports, and U.S. leaders at COP27 last month. Check out our COP27 trackers:

From Farm to Table: The Role of the Farm Bill in How We Eat, Farm, and Trade
[35 min listen]

The Farm Bill—an omnibus law that shapes how we eat, farm, and trade—is set to be reauthorized next year. In this podcast episode, we speak with experts from the National Young Farmers Coalition, the Savanna Institute, and All Seasons Farm to discuss how the law affects farmers and opportunities for advancing climate action. [click for more]

Farm Bill: Last month, the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) released a report outlining climate-focused policy recommendations for reauthorization of the next Farm Bill. The recommendations include seven categories: (1) soil health and carbon sequestration, (2) food waste, (3) electrification, (4) climate resilience, (5) research, (6) support for small, rural, beginning, and organic farmers, and (7) forestry and wildfires. EESI's Farm Bill hearing tracker outlines climate policy recommendations from Congressional hearings.

Implementing the infrastructure law: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held two hearings last month on implementing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) that were focused on private sector perspectives and opportunities for local jurisdictions to address transportation challenges. For more on the climate opportunities in the IIJA, check out EESI's article, "How the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Work Together to Advance Climate Action."

Forever chemicals: The PFAS Act (S.231), introduced by Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), passed both chambers and aims to protect firefighters from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Another bill introduced by Sen. Peters, the Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act (S.3662), passed both chambers in September and is focused on reducing PFAS contamination at airports.

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings. See the full legislative trackers for November 14-18, November 21-25, and November 28-December 2.

Climate Summit Recap: Key Outcomes and What Comes Next

Last week, EESI's COP27 briefing series wrapped up with a briefing on the key outcomes of the U.N. climate summit and opportunities for further climate action at home and abroad. Watch the recording. [click for more]

Connecticut Church Finds Big Savings Through Energy Efficiency

Walnut Hill Community Church assessed the energy needs of its eight buildings to create a plan for installing energy efficiency upgrades that save money and reduce emissions. This article is part of a series on energy efficiency and nonprofits. [click for more]

Highlight notes are now available for these briefings:

Latest Media Coverage

The Spartan Newsroom at the Michigan State University School of Journalism cited EESI's issue brief on the growth of commercial aviation greenhouse gas emissions.
The Sheridan Press cited EESI's article on plugging orphaned oil and gas wells.

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Thanks to all EESI staff, interns, and fellows who contribute to Climate Change Solutions

Environmental and Energy Study Institute
Daniel Bresette, Executive Director

EESI is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1984 by a bipartisan Congressional caucus to provide timely information and develop innovative policy solutions that set us on a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy path.

Climate Change Solutions - December 6, 2022

Featuring content on agricultural climate solutions

Table Of Contents

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