Climate change is proliferating diseases and pests that threaten crops and forests, report says

MAINE PUBLIC • September 14, 2026

Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree is calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to implement findings from a government report on how climate change is threatening crops and forests. The report found that diseases and pests have cost the nation's agricultural and forestry sectors at least $550 billion. The science shows climate change will continue to expand the range of invasive diseases and pests. Pingree is calling out the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans for proposed cuts to the USDA's Climate Hub program, calling them "dangerously shortsighted." The ten regional hubs provide growers with information and tools to help protect agricultural output as the climate changes.