State climate official praises sustainability efforts ByChristine Souza
“We have taken great pains in the course of the last year or so to make sure that nature-based solutions are really in- tegrated into our approach on climate,” Hansen said. “That was a direct result of the governor’s executive order in the fall of 2020, really calling on us to deliver more climate action through theway that we manage our lands.” In addition, she said the state has al- most completed an extreme-heat action plan that includes nature-based solu- tions as one of four pillars of action to support climate efforts that address ex- treme heat. FollowingHansen’s presentation, con- versationandquestions quickly turned to the state’s Pathways to 30x30 document, which lays out a vision for conserving 30% of the state’s lands and coastal wa- ters by 2030. Nevada County rancher Brad Fowler asked Hansen to elaborate on whether agriculture is included in the land pres- ervation goal in the 30x30 draft plan. Mendocino County forester George Hollister asked the same related to the forestry business. She explained that the 30x30 plan has three objectives: protecting biodi- versity, addressing climate change and increasing access to nature, adding,
California is gearing up to be more resilient to cli- mate change. In response to state legis- lation and executive orders by Gov. Gavin Newsom,
state agencies have developed plans that involve setting goals and strategies to achieve long-term climate resiliency. “California is already a leader in this space,”AmandaHansen,CaliforniaNatural ResourcesAgencydeputy secretary for cli- mate change, told farmers, ranchers and county FarmBureau staff last week. In her appearance at the California Farm Bureau Capitol Ag Conference in Sacramento, she offered insights on state efforts to address climate change and praised initiatives already under- way in agriculture. “We are really proud to have so many innovators across the state, so many farmers and ranchers that are undertak- ing climate-smart agricultural practices that are supporting water resilience that are dedicated to protecting biodiversity,” Hansen said. Hansen described the state’s two overarching climate-change plans. One is a scoping plan that includes a suite of policies to help the state achieve its tar- gets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
During the discussion on climate, Lake County farmer Daniel Suenram emphasizes voluntary efforts and practices by California farmers and ranchers to manage the land they farm.
and carbon neutrality by mid-century. The other is California’s Climate Smart Strategy, which outlines key climate re- silience priorities. The climate strategy includes specif- ic and measurable steps and serves as a framework for action across sectors and regions in California. The adap- tation strategy, Hansen said, includes about 150 actions that identify what
the state is doing related to climate. Hansen explained the state’s Natural Working Lands Climate-Smart Strategy document includes a comprehensive and results-oriented, nature-based solutions agenda. It calls for accelerat- ed use of nature-based solutions, such as improving public health and safety, securing food and water supplies, and increasing equity.
See CLIMATE, Page 16
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4 Ag Alert March 23, 2022
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