Conservation Practices Proven to Lower Carbon Footprint in Recent Study

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A recent study from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) shows how effective conservation practices are in addressing emission levels. The study incorporates data collected between 2004 and 2018. As climate issues remain a priority, the figures from the study detail the role that agriculture has in addressing climate concerns.

“That study reveals that our conservation practices are definitely helping the environment, helping the climate, and helping reduce greenhouse gases,” said Carlos Suarez, State Conservationist for NRCS in California. “The study shows that more than 367,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide were sequestered using these conservation practices that were installed on working lands; protecting farms, ranches, and forestlands.”

The average Californian produces a carbon footprint of 9.256 metric tons of CO2 annually. Conservation approaches taken by agricultural producers have helped to offset the annual carbon footprint of nearly 40,000 Californians. Voluntary conservation actions that were taken resulted in the equivalent of removing a years’ worth of greenhouse gas emissions from more than 79,000 passenger vehicles.