Program Success 9 June 2017
By Roger Johnson
Guest Columnist
We are fortunate to be the most agriculturally productive country in the world . American farmers and ranchers grow and raise the best crops and animals on the planet , and our food system efficiently delivers these items at a low cost to billions of consumers across the country and the world . So when President Trump announced yesterday that he plans to withdraw the U . S . from the Paris climate agreement — and thereby repudiate the sound science linking greenhouse gas emissions to climate change — he imperiled the livelihoods of farmers , ranchers and all those that rely on them .
For family farmers and ranchers , climate change is an economic issue . It has been affecting our ability to make a living from the land for years . The facts show the damaging effects of rising temperatures , extreme precipitation , severe drought and flooding , and other climate challenges on agriculture and food production worldwide .
Trump ’ s rash departure from Paris agreement leaves farmers worse off
The increase in these extreme weather events limits the number of workable days farmers have , and it affects important aspects of crop and animal production like pollination , plant and animal growth as well as size , pest and weed pressure , soil health , and reproduction .
Thus far , we ’ ve adapted to meet the needs of consumers despite the changing climate through public and private research and technology development . But we must do more — not less .
Over time , scientists expect the effects of climate change to compound , making it even more difficult to grow crops and raise livestock . According to the U . S . Department of Agriculture , all agriculture production systems will be affected to some degree over the next 25 years . We cannot sustain a viable agriculture system if climate change is left unchecked .
That ’ s why the Paris climate agreement is so incredibly important . It brought nearly every country together to face climate change , and it highlighted U . S . leadership on an issue that stands to impact the entire world . The accord is a recognition that the changing climate can be attributed to greenhouse gas emissions , and that the world should work together to limit these emissions for the sake of our economies , communities and future generations .
The deepest disappointment of the president ’ s decision is removing the U . S . as the leader on climate change policy , instead sitting on the sidelines when it comes to the salient issue of our time . Rather than looking to the future and embracing a newer , better , cleaner way of doing business , he seems only able to look to the past for outdated solutions . Yesterday marked a low point for our country and our standing in the world .
In his remarks , the president made a shortsighted and demonstrably false economic argument for leaving the pact . He contended that our economy stands to lose money and jobs as we curb carbon emissions . To make that contention is to neglect the real and lasting harm that climate change threatens for our cities — for our farms , and for our rural communities . And it ignores the potential gains that American ingenuity and productivity , particularly in farming and rural communities that supported his presidential bid , have to offer for mitigating climate change .
Trump Rash Departure Paris Agreement Farmers worse off Roger Johnson Jacksonville , Florida June 2017
Under the Paris climate agreement , the U . S . pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 26 percent by 2025 . Many of the actions that would have helped the U . S . achieve that goal would have stimulated economic growth and created jobs in rural communities .
When properly incentivized , farmers , ranchers and forest owners have tremendous potential to sequester carbon and contribute to the mitigation of climate change . By denying climate science , the president stripped rural America of valuable opportunities to confront a current farm economic crisis and stem the exodus of young people from rural communities .
By all indications , the president is content leaving the agreement without an effective strategy for climate resilience , exposing family farmers and ranchers to the worst effects of climate change . This will have devastating consequences for family farming and ranching operations and all those who rely on them for food , feed , fuel and fiber .
Urgent and decisive action on the parts of cities , corporations and nonprofits is needed to avoid these catastrophic climate impacts on the food system . Luckily , many of these stakeholders have shown leadership in this area and a willingness to voluntary reduce emissions for the betterment of our global society . But to achieve maximum climate benefits , farmers , ranchers and rural residents must be engaged and play a central role in climate change mitigation and resiliency . The future of our food system depends on it .
Roger Johnson is president of the National Farmers Union ( NFU ), a grassroots organization that represents nearly 200,000 family farmers , ranchers , fisherman and rural communities across the Unites States . Johnson is a third generation farmer from Turtle Lake , North Dakota , and previously served as North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner . Follow NFU on Twitter at @ NFUDC .
Program Success 9 June 2017