Natural climate solutions for the United States
U.S. natural climate solutions could cut emissions by up to 21%, offering carbon storage, land stewardship, and co-benefits like cleaner air, water, and climate resilience.
Subject tags
- Natural climate solutions
- Climate mitigation
- Carbon markets
Abstract
Limiting climate warming to <2°C requires increased mitigation efforts, including land stewardship, whose potential in the United States is poorly understood. We quantified the potential of natural climate solutions (NCS)—21 conservation, restoration, and improved land management interventions on natural and agricultural lands—to increase carbon storage and avoid greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. We found a maximum potential of 1.2 (0.9 to 1.6) Pg CO2e year−1, the equivalent of 21% of current net annual emissions of the United States. At current carbon market prices (USD 10 per Mg CO2e), 299 Tg CO2e year−1 could be achieved. NCS would also provide air and water filtration, flood control, soil health, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience benefits.
Citation
Fargione, J.E., Bassett, S., Boucher, T., Bridgham, S.D., Conant, R.T., Cook-Patton, S.C., Ellis, P.W., Falcucci, A., Fourqurean, J.W., Gopalakrishna, T. and Gu, H., 2018. Natural climate solutions for the United States. Science advances, 4(11), p.eaat1869.
Media Contacts
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Joe Fargione
Director of Science, North America Region
The Nature Conservancy
Email: jfargione@tnc.org -
Tim Boucher
Senior Scientist
The Nature Conservancy
Email: tboucher@tnc.org -
Peter Ellis
Director, Global Natural Climate Solutions Science
The Nature Conservancy
Email: pellis@tnc.org