Eat Smart to Save the Planet
Sustainable Earth Eating Raises Concerns on USDA’s Greenhouse Gas Strategy
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sustainable Earth Eating (SEE) has submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding its “Federal Strategy to Advance Greenhouse Gas Measurement and Monitoring for the Agriculture and Forest Sectors,” open for public feedback until 8/11/23.
As a leading non-profit dedicated to creating awareness of the environmental impacts of animal agriculture, SEE has raised several concerns about the current methodologies. The organization particularly notes the discrepancies in the measurement approaches adopted by significant bodies like the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (UN IPCC).
While SEE recognizes the USDA’s efforts in proposing a new strategy, several questions and concerns remain:
- Carbon Sequestration in Pasture-Fed and Regenerative Systems: With standard methodologies assessing carbon levels in soils, there remains uncertainty regarding how soil type, moisture, and other factors contribute to carbon storage.
- Carbon Sequestration Duration: The question of which factors determine how long carbon remains sequestered to offer tangible benefits remains unanswered.
- Transport-Related Emissions: Ambiguities surrounding the attribution of transport-related emissions—whether they fall under the agricultural sector or transportation—need clarification.
- Methane Accounting: Methane, primarily emanating from animal agriculture, not only contributes significantly to greenhouse gases (approximately 86 times more potent than CO2 over a 20-year period) but also exacerbates ozone levels. The importance of its precise accounting cannot be overstated.
“Transparent and accurate measurement is sorely needed. We must carefully address these nuanced environmental challenges,” said Jane DeMarines, Executive Director of Sustainable Earth Eating.
About Sustainable Earth Eating:
Sustainable Earth Eating is at the forefront of environmental advocacy, outreach, and education, relative to the substantial impact of animal agriculture on climate change.
