Greenhouse Gas Emissions

U of I researchers offer answers to common questions about greenhouse gases from livestock production

By Mario E. de Haro Martí, University of Idaho Extension A group of researchers at the University of Idaho have produced a publication titled “Answers to common questions about greenhouse gases” to help livestock producers foster dialogue about greenhouse gases (GHG) from beef production. The refereed publication is designed as a tool to equip producers […]

Cattle in a snow-covered pasture with mountains in the background

One Year into Washington’s Climate Commitment Act: Impacts on Agriculture

Dani Gelardi, Washington State Department of Agriculture Last year, we asked, “How will the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) impact Washington agriculture?” For a brief primer on the topic, read the 2022 blog post. Now, with one year passed, let’s review how farmers are faring under this ambitious state law to reduce greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions. […]

Six people walking in a grassy field

Check It Out: The Sky High Emissions of Global Food Waste… and One Way to Bring Them Down

By Aaron Whittemore, Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, Washington State University By some estimates the food sector contributes to about one-third of global greenhouse emissions, which isn’t so surprising given the huge amount of energy required to grow crops, feed livestock and pack and transport food across global markets. What may be more […]

Pile of rotten apples

Check it Out: Carbon and Cow$ Podcast

WSU and University of Idaho are launching a podcast about carbon markets and livestock agriculture!  In the debut episode of the Carbon and Cow$ Podcast, we speak with Dr. Craig Frear, Director of Research and Technology at Regenis, about dairy anaerobic digesters and the mechanisms behind their on-farm viability in relation to emerging opportunities in carbon […]

Close up of a cow at a dairy

Protecting the Land that Feeds Us and Mitigates Climate Change

By Andrea Krahmer and Nellie McAdams, Oregon Agricultural Trust            From wine grapes to cattle and hay, Oregon produces more than 220 different crop and livestock products. About one-quarter of Oregon’s land base (16 million acres) is in agricultural production, and these lands provide opportunities for carbon sequestration and resilient food systems in the face of […]

Overhead view of green pastures, hills and pond.

Can Baby Kangaroos Help Address Climate Change?

By Katie Doonan, Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, Washington State University Okay, okay- while baby kangaroos singlehandedly solving climate change is out of the question, the potential for baby kangaroo droppings to help decrease methane emissions is an exciting prospect! Methane from ruminant digestion is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in […]

Female kangaroo grazing, with joey in pouch

Progress in Applying a Multi-Model Ensemble Approach to Soil Carbon

By David I Gustafson, Adjunct Research Faculty at Washington State University When it comes to climate adaptation and mitigation opportunities in agriculture, few (if any) are of greater importance than practices that sequester more soil carbon, which can directly reduce the heat-trapping effects of atmospheric CO2. Boosting soil carbon also has multiple direct benefits for […]

Flowering potato crop, with center pivot across the background

Large-scale Solar Developments and Protected Lands – Can We Have Them Both?

By Karen Janowitz, Washington State University Energy Program The passage of Washington State’s Clean Energy Transformation Act in 2019 mandates an electricity supply free of greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Large-scale renewable energy projects are one way to achieve this mandate. Solar companies see this as an opportunity and are pursuing projects in the sunniest, […]

View of shrubsteppe lands in the Columbia Plateau in Washington

Top Articles from 2022 Show the Breadth and Diversity of Topics in AgClimate.net

By Sonia A. Hall, Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, Washington State University, and AgClimate Lead Editor 2022 has come to a close, and 2023 seems to have revved up and is roaring along. We are still early enough in the year, though, to look back on 2022 and reflect on what you, our […]

Word cloud from 2022 article titles, with 2022 Top Reads! overlaid

The Climate Commitment Act is Coming. How Will it Impact Washington Agriculture?

Dani Gelardi, Washington State Department of Agriculture A new mandate On January 1st, 2023, major portions of the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) will launch in Washington State. This ambitious law is part of Washington’s plan to eliminate or offset all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. The Washington State Department of Ecology estimates that agriculture […]

Group of farmers in a field with a cover crop