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Professor Phillips publishes in Future Science on the implications of well-managed pastures on carbon sequestration
- Improved pasture management is an alternative food use for land and has multiple environmental benefits, such as carbon sequestration reduced erosion and reduced input use.
- Management-intensive grazing has been estimated to sequester from 0.21 to as high as 2.9 megagrams carbon equivalent per hectare per year.
- First-order analysis indicates that 10 million ha of cropland could convert to well-managed pastures by 2030 if ethanol experiences a 100% drawdown.
Chad Hellwinckel & Jennifer G. Phillips
Summary
Background: As the debate over governmental subsidization of ethanol continues, the academic and policy communities should prepare for a potential reduction of ethanol production, and be aware of the potential land use impacts. We report a first-order estimate of carbon implications of the change in land use that results from a reduction of ethanol production from current levels and having well-managed pasture as an alternative land management option. Method: An integrated biogeophysical–socioeconomic model is used to evaluate three levels of potential reductions in ethanol production, along with the possibility of conversion of cropland to pasture management. Results: Results indicate that up to 10 million ha of cropland could be converted to pastureland, reducing agricultural land use emissions by nearly 10 teragrams carbon equivalent per year, a 36% decline in carbon emissions from agricultural land use.
Citation: Hellwinckel, C., and J.G. Phillips, (2012). Land use carbon implications of a reduction in ethanol production and an increase in well-managed pastures. Future Science (3), 27-38.
cep@bard.edu
02-13-2012
This event was last updated on 02-13-2012
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Gautam Sethi teaches environmental and natural resource economics at Bard CEP. His research includes institutional mechanisms to improve water quality in Oaxaca, Mexico, and the impact of wind farms on residential property values in the U.S.
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Monique Segarra, assistant professor of politics, teaches environmental policy analysis and climate politics. Her research focuses on the intersection of natural resource management, climate change, and human rights in the global south and the politics of water reform in Oaxaca, Mexico.
“Working with graduate students at CEP has enriched my work as a political scientist. The interdisciplinary nature of the program deepens our students’ ability to analyze and think about the policy process and how the key driver of our time, climate change and adaptation, is shaping our future policy choices.”
“Working with graduate students at CEP has enriched my work as a political scientist. The interdisciplinary nature of the program deepens our students’ ability to analyze and think about the policy process and how the key driver of our time, climate change and adaptation, is shaping our future policy choices.”
