Urge Congress to give farmers the tools they need to build resilience. UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS.

 

Soil Can Lead the Way to a Climate Resilient Agricultural System     TAKE ACTION         Dear David, In the face of worsening effects of climate change, the US food and farm system must be made resilient. Living soil is a key factor, but we need to act fast. "Living soil"—teeming with fungi, microbes, and living plant roots—soaks up water like a sponge, adding a buffer against increasing floods and drought. It also promotes healthier crops and can draw carbon out of the atmosphere and back into the ground. Right now, Congress is debating legislation that represents one of the best opportunities in decades to incorporate the science behind soil into our national climate solutions—but they need to hear from constituents like you! Tell Congress to prioritize soil health and resilience in comprehensive infrastructure and climate legislation. We know soil is the literal foundation of our farming system, making most of our food supply possible. But healthy, spongy soil can also make other important things possible—such as clean water and flood control. That means soil is vital infrastructure for our climate future. President Joe Biden wants to build the nation's critical infrastructure, spur job creation, and help farmers thrive while leading the charge against climate change. Healthy-soil farming systems can help with all those things, but only if constituents like you can be louder than "Big Ag" companies who support the status quo. In close collaboration with the Union of Concerned Scientists, Representative Chellie Pingree (ME) and Senator Martin Heinrich (NM) re-introduced the Agriculture Resilience Act, which seeks to transform our food and agriculture system into one that can confidently face an uncertain climate future while safeguarding livelihoods and the future of our food. Write today an urge Congress to include provisions from the Agricultural Resilience Act in the next climate and infrastructure package. Farmers and scientists know that we need to be smart in how we steward the soil that grows our food, and your legislators need to understand this too. Tell your members of Congress to give farmers the tools they need to build resilient soil and incorporate the ARA in the next climate and infrastructure package. Sincerely, Ethan Fetz Outreach Coordinator Food & Environment Program Union of Concerned Scientists   TAKE ACTION