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Vilsack Focuses on Climate Change

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says meeting the challenge of climate change is one of the greatest threats facing our planet. To face that challenge, Vilsack announced that USDA is taking action. Speaking at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico, the Secretary said USDA continues to take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by helping farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to be even better conservationists.

"We remain focused on steps to advance clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while growing our economy," Vilsack said. "Farmers, ranchers and forest owners have a great deal to contribute to mitigating climate change, while also ensuring that farms adapt to climate change, and they can benefit by embracing a range of conservation practices."

Vilsack said USDA will provide opportunities to leverage private sector demand for greenhouse gas mitigation services, evaluating how emerging greenhouse gas markets can work in concert with USDA programs to protect the environment, and building capacity within USDA to understand voluntary greenhouse gas markets and to explore improved approaches for greenhouse gas accounting systems.

The Secretary also announced other programs to be picked up by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Farm Service Agency. He also announced the release of USDA's Climate Change Science Plan. The plan's objective is to incorporate management of the challenges created by climate change into the scientific missions of USDA.