Environmental Impact of Farming Cut in Half by USDA

The 2050 initiative: 

• cut farming’s environmental impact in half 
• increase farm productivity by 40%

Nothing to do with climate change

The initiative will not mention climate change. Instead it will focus on research, innovation, and improving the USDA’s ability to collect data on farmers’ conservation practices.

Related USDA happenings

“Climate change” is a touchy topic for the USDA to address due to the current administration rolling back environmental regulations and the reluctance of farmers and ranchers to grapple with the scientific consensus that global warming is caused by human activity. 

Farming associations and lobby groups are more open to increased sustainability when the cause of global warming is not relevant.

Politico | USDA to unveil plan to cut farms’ environmental impact in half by 2050