Financing Agriculture Adaptation to Climate Change: A Modest Beginning

President Obama’s climate-related diplomatic capacity in Cancún will be severely limited by incoming and current members of the U.S. Congress who consider climate change science too uncertain to serve as a basis for economic policy change or simply a fraudulent conspiracy to undermine the U.S. economy.

A Farm Bill for a Cooler Climate

Agriculture offers a two-fold benefit for the climate: as a place to reduce direct emissions and as a carbon sink. Many farmers have already adopted more climate-friendly agriculture practices, stimulated in part by programs in the 2008 Farm Bill.

Governments at Cancún climate talks need to support local solutions

Cancun, Mexico – Governments attending the global climate talks in Cancún, which begin today, need to abandon loophole-ridden carbon markets and support bottom-up climate solutions that integrate equity, food security and democratic participation, according to the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP).

Climate and Agriculture Series: Cancun

At the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations in Cancun, Mexico, governments will decide whether to expand the role that agriculture plays within global climate talks.

Why Carbon Trading Can't Solve Our Water Crisis

A New York Time opinion article argues that one of the best ways to ensure that the world's poorest have access to water is through carbon trading. IATP's Shiney Varghese explains why that is incorrect.

Agriculture in the climate talks

The climate negotiations in China where countries finished negotiating for six days (October 4–9) wrapped up just over a week ago. This was countries' last chance to reach common ground for major decisions on global warming before the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) holds its 16th conference of the parties (COP 16) in less than two months in Cancún, Mexico.

IATP applaudes Stonyfield farm's purchase of Working Landscapes Certificates

The Working Landscapes Certificates (WLC) program rewards farmers by linking sustainable corn production with bioplastics. Through Stonyfield's purchase of WLC's, the company is providing support for both sustainable corn production and as the world's largest organic yogurt producer is supporting a better line of plastic to use with their products.

Comment to the Federal Register on U.S. Federal Organic Agriculture Standards and Nanotechnology

IATP submitted this comment to the Federal Register on U.S. Federal Organic Agriculture Standards and Nanotechnology: The National Organic Standards Board Materials Committee Guidance Document—Engineered Nanomaterials in Organic Production, Processing and Packaging.

Healthy environments, one neighborhood at a time

Minneapolis, October 7, 2010 — As I read this excellent report on health disparities, one voice whispers “community” in my left ear, another whispers “environment” in the right.

Farm to School’s teachable moment

Minneapolis, October 6, 2010* — Schools throughout the country are shaking up the cafeteria through new initiatives to improve children’s health while giving a boost to local farmers. It’s time to give the mystery meat a break and bring out locally produced apples, squash, tomatoes and chicken.