Global Boiling: Filibustering Our Farmers’ Future
Global Boiling: Filibustering Our Farmers’ Future
U.S. Senators are attacking the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act as threatening farmers even though America is suffering from the ravages of a climate out of control — heat waves, floods, storms, droughts, and seasonal shifts. Scientific studies show global warming has already hurt American agriculture, and that the damages will grow catastrophic if action is not taken. In a new video, the Center for American Progress Action Fund argues that passage of a strong climate bill is imperative, and senators should stop filibustering our farmers’ future. Watch it:
The rising tide of climate change — the catastrophic droughts in Texas and California, the heat waves in Louisiana and Nebraska, the storms across the High Plains and the Midwest, the floods in North Dakota and Minnesota — require action. Instead, both Democratic and Republican senators are arguing that a limit on carbon pollution would be too costly for farmers:
Saxby Chambliss (R-GA): “No farmers will escape the effect of this bill.” [Senate agriculture hearing, 7/22/09]
Jim Inhofe (R-OK): “I had the opportunity of going and talking to the national farm co-ops the other day and addressed to them if we were to pass the cap-and-trade system what that would do to my folks in Oklahoma and all of America . . . It would be disastrous for our farmers in America.” [Senate floor, 7/15/09]
Mike Johanns (R-NE): “The Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill would have a significant if not severe impact on agriculture. . . . Different studies come up with varied numbers but they all paint the same picture: agriculture loses.” [Senate floor, 7/20/09]
Blanche Lincoln (D-AR): “I just worry if you’ve taken the kind of look at USDA at the potential impact of the house legislation on the food processing industry and the disproportionate costs on that industry that could lead to really high, higher food prices in these difficult economic times.” [Senate agriculture hearing, 7/22/09]
Ben Nelson (D-NE): “I’m concerned that if this is going to be the approach that is taken, that it be the most benign approach to balancing the economy and the environment. It’s not just agriculture, it’s people turning on their lights and businesses as well.” [Senate agriculture hearing, 7/22/09]
John Thune (R-SD): “They’re worried about the EPA regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act and what that would mean for the future of the production of agriculture.” [Senate agriculture hearing, 7/22/09]
The effort to filibuster clean energy legislation means that a minority of senators can block the effort to preserve the livelihood of farmers in America. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) have committed to cloture — standing against the filibuster. The rest of the senators need to join them.
4 Responses to “Global Boiling: Filibustering Our Farmers’ Future”
Register
RSSLogin
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog RollAbout Wonk RoomContact Us
Donate
Nice ad! How can we leverage farmers’ experience with topsoil loss during the Dustbowl and the resulting practices of crop rotation with terra preta sequestration practices. Is it reasonable to ask that farmers put down a few layers of charcoal a decade in return, for example, for subsidized wind turbines and the revenue from their power production?
Also — and please correct me if I’m wrong — doesn’t terra preta cause less fertilizer to be needed for the same effect? Charcoal is a great filter, so it might prevent phosphorus dead zones, too.
August 17th, 2009 at 1:54 pmGreat Ad!!! Where is it running? Someone also needs to get the word out that Waxman-Markey also sets up a senerio where ag producers can get carbon credits if they switch or have recently switched to no-till crop production, taken highly erodible land out of crop production and planted it to grass or instituted some for of pasture management. No-till also uses 3 to 4 gallons of deisel less per acre, thus saving the farmer money in the long run while reducing erosion, conserving water and ruducing nutrient and chemical run off.
Farm Bureau is running around telling farmers and ranchers that only planting trees will qualify for carbon credits, a ploy to make sure little support can be generated from crop producers or ranchers. Somebody needs to counter this.
August 18th, 2009 at 2:31 pmeraybo
August 18th, 2009 at 3:21 pmWell if you people do start to read and think about the works of “GOD” then all your farming is for naught. You see he “GOD”controls the climates and weather whether you like it or not. So fall on your knees and pray and sincerely mean it and watch the GOOD TIMES ROLL ON ONLY WITH OUR LORD” GOD”. THANK YOU
Eraybo, my mom always said never argue with a fool ’cause folks won’t be able to tell the difference. That being said, as a farmer and a Christian, my belief system says that man was given dominion over the earth, Gods creation. We were told to tend the garden.
I don’t know about you, but when I stand before God I don’t think I want to say “well, you are God. Yes the garden you gave me is screwed up but hey, you are almighty. You really are in charge so you could have stopped me any time so a messed up earth is your fault.” read the bible-it says the earth is God’s and all that is in it. Also, if your attitude ruled the day in the 1930’s those of us who live in the southern plains where the dust bowl occured would be in the middle of a desert now. Yes, God controls things but he gives us free will to make our choices and act them out. We effect those around us with our actions, including how we effect the environment. As a believer, I can only pray the Holy Spirit will guide you through the scriptures to see the error of your beliefs. As for me, I will follow the lord, raise my kids to do the same and as I said above, tend the garden.
August 18th, 2009 at 6:21 pm