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WASHINGTON, April 22, 2016 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement on the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement:
"By signing the historic climate agreement reached with nearly 200 nations in Paris this past December, the U.S. is moving forward on our commitment to take real action on climate change. The agreement establishes a long-term and durable framework to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and build resiliency for the future. America's farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners have a track record of coupling extraordinary productivity gains with natural resource stewardship, which positions them well to contribute to the climate solutions called for in the Paris Agreement. Since 2009, USDA conservation programs have helped American producers install practices that have reduced net greenhouse gas emissions by over 416 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, or approximately 60 million metric tons per year -- the equivalent of taking 12.6 million cars off the road for a year. Through USDA's Building Blocks for Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry, we plan to accelerate our efforts, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon sequestration by over 120 million metric tons a year by 2025. At home and abroad, USDA and its partners will continue to demonstrate that climate-smart strategies can build resilience, reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, and increase carbon storage in our soils and forest while boosting productivity and improving global food security. This Earth Day, USDA is proud to be part of this commitment."
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