"The ground of mercy is love, and the working of mercy is our keeping in love."
- Julian of Norwich
AGRICULTURE & CLIMATE CHANGE
10 Ways for USDA to Set Policy
This year is the last chance for the current Administration to act upon
its commitment to climate change. This includes key initiatives to support agricultural adaptation and mitigation. USDA has already laid out its
Building Blocks for Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry, identifying existing structures and programs that the agency can use to address the undeniable connection between climate change and agriculture.
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, to which CRL belongs, has come up with 10 opportunities for USDA to address climate change. These opportunities can all be seized without new legislative authority, and they provide the current Administration the chance to leave a lasting climate legacy during their final year in office.
CLIMATE WEBINAR FOR FAITH LEADERS
U.S. State Department Officials to Share Info
The international gathering in Paris in December represented an important step forward in the fight against climate change. As we reported in our previous bulletins, faith communities from around the world are stepping forward more than ever in support of a strong agreement.
This
Friday, Jan. 15, from 2-3 pm Eastern, a faith leaders' webinar is scheduled to go over an analysis of the agreement and its key features from State Department representatives. You can join the webinar by logging in at
www.bit.ly/1n6yLDJ (
password: gfwebinar). You can also listen in by calling this toll number: 1-650-479-3208 (
access code: 666-884-175).
The
Union of Concerned Scientists have released a new report that examines some of the innovative ways that local leaders are combating a broken food system in urban areas. UCS reviewed a variety of initiatives taking place in hundreds of U.S. cities, and highlight five local efforts that show how healthy food access problems can be addressed at multiple points in the food system.
The five cities chosen are Oakland, Memphis, Louisville, Baltimore, and Minneapolis. In each of these, the percentage of residents living below the federal poverty line is higher than the national average. CLICK HERE for the research report.
UCS researchers hope these case studies may provide models that other local communities can learn from and adapt to their own uniquechallenges and needs. But they also demonstrate the need for comprehensive national food policy reform.
CATHOLIC RURAL LIFE
Applying the teachings of Jesus Christ
for the betterment of rural America
We're the only national Catholic non-profit dedicated to addressing and overcoming the challenges facing rural America, be they social, economic or spiritual.Please consider supporting our work by becoming a member or donating today.
FRESH SOLUTION FOR FOOD SYSTEM 
