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Farmers lead the charge - US agriculture lowers emissions

By Farms.com

The fight against climate change is receiving a boost from an unexpected source - US agriculture. A recent report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reveals that the sector has achieved its lowest level of greenhouse gas emissions in a decade.

This impressive feat is attributed to the voluntary conservation efforts undertaken by American farmers and ranchers. The report shows a nearly 2% reduction in agricultural emissions from 2021 to 2022, exceeding the decrease observed in any other economic sector. This translates to a significant drop of 12 million metric tons of emissions compared to the previous year.

Analysts at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) emphasize the importance of these efforts, noting that agriculture contributes less than 10% of total US emissions. The continued decline in emissions showcases the effectiveness of voluntary measures and market-based incentives in promoting sustainable practices within the agricultural industry.


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This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number 2023-38640-39573 through the North Central Region SARE program under project number ENC23-226. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.