The American Sustainable Business Council Announces Support for U.S. Farmers and Ranchers for a Green New Deal

The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), representing the public policy interests of more than 250,000 responsible businesses, today announced its support for a coalition of farmers and ranchers that has endorsed the Green New Deal. Thomas Oppel, Executive Vice President of ASBC, spoke at a press event held today by the coalition of nearly 10,000 farmers and ranchers.

"The American Sustainable Business Council is proud to stand with U.S. Farmers and Ranchers for a Green New Deal. Our businesses understand the value of farmers and ranchers as the backbone of our communities and our economy. Farms and ranches are businesses that not only provide healthy food for a strong and resilient workforce, but they also help combat climate change. Our Business for a Green New Deal campaign will work side by side with U.S. Farmers and Ranchers for a Green New Deal to advance the policies needed for a sustainable future for all business," said Oppel.

ASBC member organizations also voiced their support.

Rosanna Marie Neil, Esq., Policy Counsel of Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, said, "Fishermen, farmers and ranchers with strong values play two essential roles: feeding people and being stewards of the ocean and land. The Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance supports Farmers & Ranchers for a Green New Deal because, for the Green New Deal to be meaningful, it must include deep policy reforms of the food system that place a much higher value on the health of the community and the environment."

Rudy Arredondo, President and CEO of National Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association, said, "Farmers and ranchers are stewards of the land. We are the first responders of any climate event 24/7. We are first in line to protect our land, our communities and our living environment. Therefore we are calling for major investment in infrastructure remediation. We cannot continue to run a 21st century economy on a 19th century infrastructure."

ASBC was the first business group to endorse the Green New Deal, because the organization believes it offers a bold, new opportunity to build our nation's infrastructure -- and tap American business innovation -- while also addressing climate change and broadening economic prosperity. Investing in clean manufacturing, energy efficiency, renewable energy, quality water, sustainable transportation and regenerative agricultural systems will create more resilient communities, better jobs and a more inclusive and thriving economy.

The coalition, U.S. Farmers and Ranchers for Green New Deal, is a joint organizing effort of Regeneration International (RI) and the Sunrise Movement. It sent a letter to Congress urging support for the Green New Deal and calling on lawmakers to make agriculture policy reform a priority for addressing the climate crisis and the economic crisis facing independent family farms.

The coalition believes that the Green New Deal's goal of net-zero emissions by 2030 is achievable, but only if the resolution includes policies that spur two large-scale transitions: the transition to renewable energy alternatives, and the transition to regenerative agriculture and land-use practices.

"We stand ready to help achieve all of the goals outlined in the Green New Deal," the coalition said in its letter. "But we need Congress to work with us to develop food and agriculture policies that support climate-friendly organic and regenerative farming, ranching and land-use practices."