Rep. Huffman Invites John Wick, Co-Founder of the Marin Carbon Project, to Testify Before Congress

June 27, 2014

WASHINGTON—This Wednesday, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) lauded the work of John Wick, co-owner of the Nicasio Native Grass Ranch and Co-Founder of the Marin Carbon Project, who testified before Congress' Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation. Wick testified about the Marin Carbon Project's research involving soil carbon sequestration, otherwise known as "carbon farming," which has the potential to dramatically improve the rate at which Carbon Dioxide (CO2 is removed from the atmosphere.

"John Wick and the Marin Carbon Project are using rigorous science to develop more sustainable ranching techniques while fighting climate change," Huffman said. "It is very important for my colleagues in Congress to hear about innovative research and groundbreaking practices to increase carbon storage in agricultural lands."

"Peer-reviewed rigorous science shows that it is indeed possible to increase soil carbon sequestration on grazed lands, and that doing so initiates a cascade of beneficial effects that improves the value of public lands. We have used compost, but there are likely other approaches that work well," said Wick. "It is absolutely critical however, that we use rigorous science to support our management decisions."

Atmospheric CO2 concentrations are rising faster than they have throughout human history. The current concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is over 100 ppm higher than it was before the Industrial Revolution, in great part due to the human burning of fossil fuels. The vast majority of scientists agree that this increased concentration of CO2 is responsible for climate change.

President Obama's 2013 Climate Action Plan identified the importance of enhancing the carbon storage capacity of our nation's forest and rangelands. America's public and private lands and oceans absorb approximately 30 percent of the carbon released into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels. This amounts to the emissions of more than 83 million cars.

The Marin Carbon Project is a consortium of the leading agricultural institutions and producers in Marin County, university researchers, county and federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations seeking to understand and demonstrate the potential for enhanced carbon sequestration in  agricultural and rangeland soils to play a significant role in stopping and reversing the climate crisis.   

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