Election 2024: Is The Land Keeping More Carbon Under Biden/Harris
Land use improvements are essential to climate action, from low-tillage agriculture to reforestation to wetlands
In the global fight against climate change, land use policies have emerged as a pivotal factor in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing community resilience. Urban planning that promotes compact, mixed-use development can significantly cut emissions from transportation by reducing the need for long commutes.
Forestry management and sustainable agricultural practices also play a vital role in carbon sequestration. Policies that protect and expand forests enhance their capacity as carbon sinks, capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Sustainable forestry practices and reforestation efforts are key components of these strategies. Similarly, promoting agricultural practices such as no-till farming, cover cropping, and agroforestry can sequester carbon in soils and vegetation, while policies incentivizing these methods provide crucial support to farmers.
Resilience to climate impacts is another critical aspect of land use policies. Zoning regulations that restrict development in floodplains, coastal areas, and other high-risk zones reduce vulnerability to extreme weather…
