
Paul Faeth and Suzie Greenhalgh
This report addresses the controversy over the effects on American farmers of a ratified Kyoto Protocol
to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Some studies have suggested that
the results would be economically devastating for U.S. agriculture. Yet, this new WRI report finds
that the implementation of policies to address climate change would not create a disaster,
and indeed may even present new economic opportunities for farmers. By running a series of
economic scenarios, Paul Faeth and Suzie Greenhalgh have demonstrated that the right policies,
including support for nutrient trading, could actually increase farm income, enhance the environment,
and reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, while decreasing soil erosion and nutrient
pollution.
Available November 15th 2000

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