YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

Farmers worried as much about climate change regulation as climate change

By Gene Hall

Climate change is a good way to start an argument here in Texas. Rising temperatures aside, there is one thing related to global warming that truly terrifies farmers and ranchers. That thing is climate change regulation.

Not even the EPA will promise that unilateral actions by the U.S. on climate change will do much to reduce global temperatures. A U.S. economic surrender will just not help much without similar steps taken elsewhere in the world. After all, the U.S. has already made substantial progress on carbon emissions. It’s about “setting an example.” I’m sorry, but I don’t have that much faith in the rest of the world. I think it’s more likely that the Chinese, and others, will just light up another coal-fired plant.

Farmers have made great strides in reducing the use of fossil fuels. The low-till and no-till practices and especially GMO technologies that greatly reduce pesticide use have had dramatic impact. But, if farmers are penalized with a carbon tax every time they start a tractor, climate change regulation becomes a thing to fear. 

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

You may read this week’s editorial below or listen to the audio version.

Media outlets: This content may be used without further permission.