Former congressman and Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke unveiled a $5-trillion climate plan Tuesday that calls for reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and includes a number of agricultural initiatives to reduce and mitigate greenhouse-gas emissions on farms and deal with extreme weather events.
“It’s the first detailed proposal released by O’Rourke, who is known for his inspirational message, eloquence on the stump and feel-good campaign events but has been light on policies and specifics,” reported the Washington Post.
O’Rourke pledged to take action on his first day of office, rejoining the Paris climate accord that President Trump walked out on and using his executive powers to spur green initiatives. These include, his platform states, “unprecedented access to the technologies and markets that allow farmers and ranchers to profit from the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions they secure.” Farmers, businesses and environmental groups are currently working on ways to pay farmers for the carbon they build in the soil, mitigating climate change.
O’Rourke also included “farming and ranching grants to create a new revenue stream for the climate benefits secured through practices like better soil management and deployment of digesters,” the latter a reference to methane digesters that can reduce emissions from animal waste in livestock production.
In a nod to current farm programs — and in recognition of the extreme weather events that have threatened farmers — O’Rourke also called for “expanding our federal crop insurance program to cover additional risks and offer more comprehensive solutions to support farmers and ranchers.”
Read the full platform here.