{"id":21996,"date":"2020-10-07T13:08:21","date_gmt":"2020-10-07T20:08:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov\/wordpress\/?p=21996"},"modified":"2020-10-07T13:08:21","modified_gmt":"2020-10-07T20:08:21","slug":"governor-newsom-launches-innovative-strategies-to-use-california-land-to-fight-climate-change-conserve-biodiversity-and-boost-climate-resilience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov\/wordpress\/index.php\/2020\/10\/07\/governor-newsom-launches-innovative-strategies-to-use-california-land-to-fight-climate-change-conserve-biodiversity-and-boost-climate-resilience\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor Newsom Launches Innovative Strategies to Use California Land to Fight Climate Change, Conserve Biodiversity and Boost Climate Resilience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NOTE – <\/em><\/strong>The innovation and stewardship of farmers and ranchers have been a boon for working lands and made California the leading state in food production for more than 60 years.\u00a0In addition to meeting basic nutritional needs of people around the world, these achievements have positioned California at the forefront of international culinary trends and iconic hospitality and visitor venues. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we move forward to maintain that position with Climate Smart Ag practices that include carbon sequestration, it’s important to remember that the common thread in meeting nutritional needs and sequestering carbon is healthy soil.\u00a0 We know that conservation practices to store carbon in the soil also increase climate and drought resiliency, improve nutrient cycling, protect groundwater, improve water infiltration and water holding capacity, and enhance biodiversity. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harnessing the innovative spirit of California, Governor Gavin Newsom today advanced an executive order enlisting California\u2019s vast network of natural and working lands \u2013 forests, rangelands, farms, wetlands, coast, deserts and urban greenspaces \u2013 in the fight against climate change. A core pillar of Governor Newsom\u2019s climate agenda, these novel approaches will help clean the air and water for communities throughout the state and support California\u2019s unique biodiversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOnce again, California is taking on the mantle of global climate leadership and advancing bold strategies to fight climate change,\u201d said Governor Newsom. \u201cThe science is clear that, in our existential fight against climate change, we must build on our historic efforts in energy and emissions and focus on our lands as well. California\u2019s beautiful natural and working lands are an important tool to help slow and avert catastrophic climate change, and today\u2019s executive order provides important new tools to take on this existential threat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The order directs state agencies to deploy a number of strategies to store carbon in the state\u2019s natural and working lands and remove it from the atmosphere. The order also sets a first-in-the-nation goal to conserve 30 percent of the state\u2019s land and coastal water by 2030 to fight species loss and ecosystem destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifically, state agencies are directed to pursue innovative actions, strategies and partnerships to maximize the full climate benefits of our natural and working land, through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n