Opinion: Forestry and agriculture-focused climate bill would protect Maine’s natural resources

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • February 17, 2022

I am grateful to Sen. Susan Collins for supporting legislation that advances carbon-reduction efforts while supporting a vital sector of Maine’s economy: agriculture and forestry. The Growing Climate Solutions Act would give Maine farmers and foresters the tools and resources they need to learn about and integrate carbon-reducing agriculture practices into their daily routines. This bill would create a program within the U.S.D.A. that would not only provide vital information about how to best adopt these practices, but also connect Maine farmers and foresters to certified third-party organizations looking to purchase the carbon credits they would accrue. As natural carbon “sinks,” forests in particular already play a critical role in sequestering and storing carbon. ~ Merle Parise, MJP Forestry, Newcastle