Bi-partisan Group of Senators Recognize Role of U.S. Forests in Climate Framework
December 10, 2009—Today, Senators Kerry (D-MA), Lieberman (I-CT), and Graham (R-SC) released a framework for climate legislation, outlining components that this bi-partisan group agrees should be included in climate legislation. One of the essential components for this group is “creating wealth for domestic agriculture and forestry” through new carbon offset markets and carbon incentives.
This framework, combined with other legislative proposals such as Senator Stabenow and Baucus’ Reduction in Emissions from Manufacturing and Agriculture Partnership Act of 2009 (S 2729) demonstrates that there is growing support it in the U.S. Senate to create a strong role for domestic forests in mitigating climate change. Including forests in climate change means family woodland owners will see new income opportunities from their land that can help these owners continue to supply other benefits like clean water and wildlife habitat that don’t often reap financial rewards.
