Legislation taking shape In the U.S., half the organic matter has been oxidized from soils by more than 100 years of conventional tillage. Kinsella believes rebuilding this organic matter by storing carbon under government contract presents a golden opportunity. Some provisions of that proposal are included in the Conservation Security Act introduced by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin last year. Presidential candidate Al Gore announced his support of that measure just prior to the recent Iowa political caucus. Though the Kyoto Accord hammered out a few years ago isn't likely to be adopted by Congress, many industries assume they'll someday have to heed the call for a return to carbon emission levels of 1991.
Agriculture can allow the U.S. to meet that goal with widespread adoption of no-till.
The plan has real potential, and when the public understands carbon sequestration, it's likely to chose the comforts of our current lifestyle over the cost of additional payments to farmers. Meanwhile, farmers will be taking steps toward financial and environmental sustainability. Copyright Meredith Corporation 1997-1999. All rights reserved. Visit the home and family sites from our parent company.