Senator Stabenow’s climate-focused farm bill faces uphill battle in Congress

Senator Debbie Stabenow introduced a farm bill emphasizing climate-smart agriculture and rural development, but partisan disagreements may block its passage.

Frida Garza reports for Grist.

In short:

Senator Debbie Stabenow unveiled a farm bill proposing funding for climate-resilient agricultural practices and rural development.
The bill faces opposition from Republicans, who prefer an extension of the current farm bill, delaying substantive updates.
Agriculture industry groups, including livestock producers, have criticized the bill for failing to meet their priorities, such as addressing California’s Prop. 12 animal welfare law.

Key quote:

“How many once-in-a-generation storms or droughts need to hit our farmers over the head before we take this crisis seriously?”

— Senator Debbie Stabenow

Why this matters:

The U.S. farm bill shapes agricultural policy, nutrition programs and rural development nationwide. Stabenow’s version aims to address climate impacts on farming, but partisan divisions could leave farmers without updated resources as climate challenges grow.

grist.org

Senator Stabenow’s climate-focused farm bill faces uphill battle in Congress

Water is ‘white gold’ in Baja’s drying beach towns

2 studies warn infamous AMOC ocean current is in trouble

‘Cut fossil fuel industry’s lifeline’: How subsidies and petrochemicals are propping up oil and gas

The 'age of electricity' is here. No one knows what comes next

How Canadians pay for fossil fuels with our bodies

Lebanon's beekeepers are at breaking point

Cuts to renewable energy research in Energy Department’s budget irk Senate Democrats

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.