Bipartisan Trillion Trees Promotes US Efforts To Reduce Carbon Dioxide In The Atmosphere
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2020
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Bipartisan Trillion Trees Promotes US Efforts To Reduce Carbon Dioxide In The Atmosphere
WASHINGTON, DC – The Trillion Trees and Natural Carbon Storage Act introduced by Sens. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) would further U.S. leadership in reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by restoring and conserving forests, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal habitats. Sens. Angus King (I-Maine) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) co-sponsored the bill.
This bipartisan bill followed a 2019 article in Science Magazine that showed forest conversation and the planting of new trees is one of the most efficient natural solutions to carbon sequestration.
“The Trillion Trees and Natural Carbon Storage Act is a natural, cost-effective way to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,” said Todd Johnston of ConservAmerica. “We thank Sens. Braun and Coons for introducing this bill, as well as Sens. King and Young for co-sponsoring.”
Key highlights of the Trillion Trees and Natural Carbon Storage Act include:
· Creates the International Forest Foundation, a nonprofit organization, to support international reforestation, restoration, and deforestation prevention efforts.
· Authorizes $10 million for USDA Forest Nursery Revival programs to ensure that the supply of seeds and saplings allows for increased domestic planting.
· Engages America’s allies in conservation by authorizing the Secretary of State and USAID to increase forest management cooperation efforts with other nations to promote reforestation and sustainable land use management abroad.
· Amends existing international conservation programs to include carbon sequestration and forest management among the list of approved technical assistance categories.
· Makes it easier for private landowners to participate in carbon credit markets by authorizing USDA to provide loan guarantees for related projects.
· Requires USDA to establish objectives for increasing the net carbon stock of American forests, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal blue carbon habitats.
The Trillion Trees and Natural Carbon Storage Act mirrors legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Arkansas Republican U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman. ConservAmerica held a webinar with Westerman and Braun on the subject of Trillion Trees in July, which can be viewed here. Braun and Westerman are members of the bicameral Roosevelt Conservation Caucus, which seeks to develop and promote pragmatic, market-oriented solutions to environmental challenges.
For further information, contact media@conservAmerica.org. ConservAmerica is a nonprofit organization that advocates for market-based solutions to conservation, environmental, and energy challenges. Visit us at ConservAmerica and follow us on Twitter @ConservAmerica and on Facebook.
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