§ 6702. — Study of global climate change, agriculture, and forestry.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC6702]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 96--GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
Sec. 6702. Study of global climate change, agriculture, and
forestry
(a) Crops
(1) In general
The Secretary shall study the effects of global climate change
on agriculture and forestry. The study shall, at a minimum address--
(A) the effects of simultaneous increases in temperature and
carbon dioxide on crops of economic significance;
(B) the effects of more frequent or more severe weather
events on such crops;
(C) the effects of potential changes in hydrologic regimes
on current crop yields;
(D) the economic effects of widespread and increased drought
frequency in the south, midwest, and plains States; and
(E) changes in pest problems due to higher temperatures.
(2) Further studies
If the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1)
warrant, the Secretary shall conduct further studies that address
the means of mitigating the effects of global climate change on
crops of economic significance that shall, at a minimum--
(A) identify whether climate change tolerance can be bred
into these crops, the amount of time necessary for any such
breeding, and the effects on the income of farmers;
(B) evaluate existing genetic resource and breeding programs
for crops for their ability to develop new varieties that can
tolerate potential climate changes; and
(C) assess the potential for the development of crop
varieties that are tolerant to climate changes and other
environmental stresses, such as drought, pests, and salinity.
(b) Forests
The Secretary shall conduct a study on the emissions of methane,
nitrous oxide, and hydrocarbons from tropical and temperate forests, the
manner in which such emissions may affect global climate change; the
manner in which global climate change may affect such emissions; and the
manner in which such emissions may be reduced through management
practices. The study shall, at a minimum--
(1) obtain measurements of nitrous oxide, methane, and
nonmethane hydrocarbons from tropical and temperate forests;
(2) determine the manner in which the nitrous oxide, methane,
and nonmethane hydrocarbon emissions from temperate and tropical
forest systems will respond due to climate change; and
(3) identify and address alternative management strategies for
temperate and tropical forests that may mitigate any negative
effects of global climate change.
(c) Reports
The Secretary shall submit reports of the studies conducted under
subsections (a) and (b) of this section within 3 and 6 years,
respectively, after November 28, 1990, to the Committee on Agriculture
and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives, and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate. In addition, interim reports regarding such
studies shall be provided by the Secretary to such Committees annually,
with recommendations for actions which may be taken to mitigate the
negative effects of global climate change and to adapt to global climate
changes and related phenomena.
(Pub. L. 101-624, title XXIV, Sec. 2403, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4059.)
Change of Name
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of House of
Representatives treated as referring to Committee on Science of House of
Representatives by section 1(a) of Pub. L. 104-14, set out as a note
preceding section 21 of Title 2, The Congress.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in section 6701 of this title.
