Month: October 2024

At New York Climate Week, we had the opportunity to hear from Hilary Franz, Washington State’s Commissioner of Public Lands, as she outlined how Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) are bridging political divides and creating tangible, bipartisan economic and environmental benefits. One of our most important Natural Climate Solutions is protecting the forests, coastal wetlands, and grasslands we already have. In addition to storing carbon, these are the places that make America beautiful, and we owe it to future generations to protect them. They also provide habitat for wildlife and opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, and other recreation activities. Additionally, forests cover 800 million acres of land in the United States and can play a key role in addressing climate change. Planting more trees, protecting the trees we already have, and managing our forests to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire can help put our forests to work in our efforts to address climate change. With vast responsibilities managing millions of acres of public land, Franz has become a champion for stewarding our natural resources to address climate change while boosting local economies.

Managing Washington’s Natural Resources in the Face of Climate Change

As Commissioner of Public Lands, Franz oversees Washington’s Department of Natural Resources, which is responsible for managing and stewarding 6 million acres of aquatic, forest and agricultural land, restoring federal, state, and private forestland, providing critical funding for schools and communities, supporting recreational access, leading the state’s wildfire response, and overseeing the geological survey for the state. These lands encompass forest, agricultural, and aquatic areas that generate crucial revenue for the state and support jobs in rural communities. However, climate change has severely impacted her ability to manage these resources sustainably.

Protecting both lives and livelihoods must be the priority for climate action. Washington’s success has come from uniting stakeholders across political and ideological lines to focus on shared outcomes:
Natural Climate Solutions.

Hilary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands for the State of Washington

“We’re seeing increasing sea-level rise, ocean acidification that’s decimating our kelp beds, droughts leading to dust storms, and forests under threat from wildfires and disease,” Franz told attendees. Wildfires, once an East-side problem, now plague the wetter, western side of the state. Communities dependent on these natural resources for their livelihoods are facing existential threats due to the compounding effects of climate change.

Franz stressed that protecting both lives and livelihoods must be the priority for climate action. The key to Washington’s success, she emphasized, has been uniting stakeholders across political and ideological lines to focus on shared outcomes—Natural Climate Solutions.

Natural Climate Solutions as an Economic Engine

In 2017, on the heels of catastrophic wildfires, Franz spearheaded Washington’s first Forest Health Plan to restore 1.25 million acres of forests. This plan was developed with broad stakeholder input, including environmental groups, timber industries, and rural communities, and signaled a shift in thinking: climate solutions can also be economic opportunities.

The forest health plan has already paid off. In response to the plan, two of the largest cross-laminated timber facilities in the U.S. opened in Washington. These facilities, which create sustainable wood products from small-diameter trees and waste material, were built within a year and a half of Franz’s announcement—demonstrating that bold commitments can quickly spur investment.

Washington’s experience with Natural Climate Solutions, such as reforestation, sustainable agriculture, and biochar production, has led to job creation in areas hit hard by economic downturns. As Franz pointed out, these communities often feel the sting of environmental regulations, which historically limited their economic options. Now, through bipartisan collaboration and federal investments like those from the Inflation Reduction Act, new industries are breathing life into rural economies.

A new biochar facility—breaking ground with $40 million from the Inflation Reduction Act—is set to provide hundreds of jobs in one such community. Biochar production transforms wood waste into carbon-rich material that enhances soil health, offering a promising solution for both climate mitigation and job creation.

“We’re saving lives and livelihoods,” Franz remarked, adding that Washington’s successful efforts have united the state’s diverse communities across political lines, creating sustainable economic models that both urban and rural residents can support.

Healing Political Divides through Natural Climate Solutions

Washington State’s political landscape mirrors the deep divisions seen across the U.S., with urban and rural areas often holding conflicting views on environmental policies. Yet, Franz highlighted how Natural Climate Solutions can bridge these divides, emphasizing that they are key to achieving bipartisan climate action.

“We have to bring people together, rural and urban, conservative and liberal, if we’re going to make real progress,” Franz said. By emphasizing the economic benefits of Natural Climate Solutions—such as job creation, community stability, and resource management—Washington has been able to move forward despite political differences.

Franz noted that environmental policies historically hurt rural economies by prioritizing conservation over job creation. For example, the spotted owl controversy in the 1990s, which significantly limited timber harvesting, slashed the operating budgets of many Washington counties by more than half. The economic devastation bred resentment that still lingers today.

However, Franz and her team have shown that it doesn’t have to be a choice between jobs and the environment. Washington’s forest health plan demonstrates that restoring ecosystems can also generate revenue and support rural economies. “We’re proving that Climate Solutions—natural ones—can protect rural lives and livelihoods,” she emphasized.

A National Blueprint for Bipartisan Climate Action

Franz’s success in Washington offers valuable lessons for federal policymakers. First, Natural Climate Solutions, when implemented strategically, can address environmental challenges while spurring economic growth in struggling rural areas. These solutions also provide a way to unite communities and bridge political divides—something essential in today’s polarized political climate.

Franz’s message to policymakers was clear: Natural Climate Solutions are a critical tool for addressing both the climate crisis and economic instability. With appropriate support, these solutions can be scaled up nationwide to create resilient communities, restore natural landscapes, and stimulate job growth across rural America.

As U.S. policymakers look to replicate successful climate strategies at the federal level, Washington’s approach to Natural Climate Solutions offers a compelling model—one that delivers measurable benefits for both the economy and the environment, all while bringing together stakeholders from across the political spectrum.

Conclusion

Hilary Franz’s leadership in Washington shows how Natural Climate Solutions can turn environmental challenges into economic opportunities while fostering unity in divided communities. For U.S. policymakers, her message serves as a reminder that solutions to climate change are within reach—and that they can be pursued in ways that benefit both people and the planet.

Key Takeaways for U.S. Policymakers:

• Natural Climate Solutions, like reforestation and sustainable agriculture, offer significant job creation and economic benefits in rural areas.
• Broad stakeholder collaboration—across political, ideological, and economic divides—ensures success.
• Federal policies, including the Inflation Reduction Act, play a vital role in supporting these solutions and scaling them up nationally.

By continuing to champion Natural Climate Solutions, U.S. policymakers can help address the urgent challenges of climate change while supporting economic recovery and fostering bipartisan cooperation.

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Related Reading

As the 2024 U.S. election approaches, the urgency for effective climate action is more apparent than ever. With Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) gaining bipartisan support, representatives from government, nonprofits, and corporations convened during New York Climate Week to discuss the future of NCS in the United States. Co-hosted by U.S. Nature4Climate (USN4C) and the Environmental & Energy Study Institute (EESI), the event titled “United for Change: Broad-Based Support for Natural Climate Solutions in the U.S.” brought together policy experts, advocates, and stakeholders from across the nation to explore strategies for accelerating NCS implementation.

Watch full event recording below:

A Bipartisan Opportunity for Climate Action

The event opened with remarks from Dan Bresette, President of EESI, who highlighted the importance of educating policymakers on climate solutions. Bresette underscored EESI’s mission to provide resources that inform decision-makers about policies tied to climate change mitigation and resilience, including the equitable implementation of Natural Climate Solutions. He praised USN4C for their dedicated work with a coalition of 29 organizations, all focused on advancing NCS strategies.

Nathan Henry, Director of USN4C, spoke next, unveiling polling data that illustrated the broad, bipartisan support for NCS among American voters. A USN4C-commissioned June 2024 poll of 1,000 registered voters in the U.S. revealed that 94% support funding and laws to expand implementation of NCS, with 89% of Republicans, 94% of independents, and 99% of Democrats in favor. Moreover, over half of voters (55%) strongly support investing in NCS – with a notable increase on this measure among Republicans, rising from 22% in 2022 to 46% in 2024.

Diverse Approaches to NCS Implementation

Henry outlined various policy approaches that appeal to different regions and sectors, emphasizing the flexibility of NCS strategies. From wildfire management to coastal resilience and technical assistance for farmers, every proposal in the poll garnered overwhelming support from both Democrats and Republicans. Henry stressed that this wide array of policy options offers members of Congress a “menu” of choices to act on NCS in ways that align with their constituents’ needs and priorities.

The REPLANT Act: A Blueprint for Bipartisan Climate Action

Alix Murdoch, Senior Policy Advisor for Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) at The Nature Conservancy, emphasized the critical role of forests in addressing the U.S.’s climate challenges. Reforestation, a key NCS, can contribute 5% toward the nation’s climate mitigation—part of the broader 20% that NCS can offer. Murdoch highlighted how the REPLANT Act serves as a prime example of how Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) can help advance climate policy in Congress with bipartisan support.

Murdoch explained that, in 2018, the U.S. Forest Service faced significant challenges in reforesting National Forests affected by wildfires and other disturbances, which had repercussions for drinking water quality, outdoor recreation, local jobs, and the forests’ ability to sequester carbon dioxide. Due to limited funding, millions of acres remained deforested. The REPLANT Act addressed this gap, increasing reforestation funding by $100 million annually without raising taxes, which gained bipartisan support.

What Made the REPLANT Act a Bipartisan Triumph?

The journey of the REPLANT Act’s passage through Congress demonstrates how bipartisan collaboration can lead to effective, fiscally responsible solutions. Through extensive research, Murdoch and other advocates were able to find a way to increase funding for reforestation by over $100 million annually without increasing taxes. This fiscally responsible solution was key in garnering support from members of both parties. By ensuring the reforestation efforts were not only financially sustainable but also ecologically sound, the bill gained traction.

The REPLANT Act’s success was also rooted in its inclusive approach. Advocates consulted with a diverse set of stakeholders, including the Evangelical Environmental Network and the National Wildlife Federation, to incorporate their ideas and strengthen the proposal. This broad base of support allowed the REPLANT Act to evolve into a bipartisan blueprint for action, ultimately being included in the bi-partisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This alignment of economic, environmental, and social goals helped bridge political divides and promote the shared benefits of reforestation.

“So that’s a story of how you go from a great idea, that you don’t know how to do, and  you turn it into something that’s bipartisan.”

Alix Murdoch, Senior Policy Advisor at TNC

With over 100 million acres of land still available for responsible reforestation across public and private lands, the blueprint established by the REPLANT Act offers a scalable model for future climate action that can attract broad political and public support.

Building a Bridge Between Agriculture and Sustainability

Michael Crinion, a dairy farmer from South Dakota and the Chair of U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action (USFRA), shared his insights on how agriculture can play a key role in Natural Climate Solutions. “We’re always talking in silos,” Crinion said, “but it’s by working together that we can make a positive change to the environment. And I’m glad to see that a lot of people are now realizing that agriculture can be part of the solution.”

Crinion emphasized the importance of inviting farmers into sustainability conversations early and ensuring that policies work on the ground. He pointed out that while many policies aim to make farming more sustainable, they often overlook the practical realities that farmers face. “What works in Missouri might not work in South Dakota,” Crinion explained, noting that farmers must be empowered to adapt sustainability practices to their specific environments.

By doing programs that are farmer-led, we have, over the last five years, seen a 31% reduction in nitrogen use, a 61% reduction in phosphorus leachate, and a 53% reduction in sediment going into rivers and streams. But this has to be farmer-led because for farming to be sustainable, it has to be financially sustainable first. And the farmers are the ones that know their land.

Michael Crinion, Chair of U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action and Managing Partner at Ash Grove Dairy

Through USFRA and Edge Dairy Cooperative, Crinion has championed programs that are farmer-led, allowing producers to take ownership of climate-smart practices. He highlighted the results of these programs involving 17 farms across four Midwestern states, where farmers achieved a 31% reduction in nitrogen use, a 61% reduction in phosphorus leachate, and a 53% reduction in sediment entering rivers and streams. These improvements not only benefit the environment but also make farms more financially viable, which is crucial for long-term sustainability.

“We’re finding that farmers can achieve the same production while lowering their costs, which is financially advantageous to them,” Crinion said, emphasizing that environmental and economic sustainability must go hand-in-hand.

Crinion’s remarks echoed a central theme of the event: the need for bipartisan solutions that bridge the gap between environmental goals and the needs of rural communities. As agriculture moves toward becoming a carbon sink, Crinion believes that the key to success lies in collaborative, farmer-driven initiatives.

Addressing Washington State’s Climate Challenges Through Natural Solutions

Hilary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands for Washington State, shared an impassioned account of how Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) are transforming the state’s approach to climate change, highlighting her unique perspective from overseeing 6 million acres of public lands since 2016. She discussed Washington’s success in bridging political divides by emphasizing NCS that prot© Diane Cook and Len Jenshel for TNCect the environment while generating economic opportunities. “For too long, environmental laws and protections have come at the cost of jobs and community stability. But we’re proving that NCS will protect the lives and livelihoods of those in rural areas.” She also pointed to the innovative Forest Health Plan, which aims to restore 1.25 million acres of forest over the next 20 years, remarking, “We brought together groups that had been at odds for years,” underscoring the importance of partnerships in achieving large-scale reforestation goals.

Healing Political Divides through Natural Climate Solutions

Washington State’s political landscape reflects deep divisions seen nationwide, with urban and rural areas often holding conflicting views on environmental policies. However, Franz illustrated how NCS can bridge these divides. Franz noted that environmental policies have historically harmed rural economies. For example, the spotted owl controversy in the 1990s significantly limited timber harvesting, slashing the operating budgets of many counties. However, Franz and her team have demonstrated that protecting jobs and the environment is not mutually exclusive. Washington’s Forest Health Plan illustrates that restoring ecosystems can generate revenue while supporting rural economies.

Creating Economic Opportunity through Climate Action

In addition to bridging divides, Franz highlighted several success stories from Washington’s NCS efforts, including the opening of two of the country’s largest mass timber facilities, which were established as part of the state’s forest restoration efforts. These facilities promote sustainable forestry practices and create hundreds of jobs in rural communities. The state is also investing in biochar production to transform waste wood into valuable resources. By highlighting the economic benefits of climate solutions—such as job creation and effective resource management—Washington has advanced despite political differences.

Closing Thoughts

The event set the stage for an in-depth discussion about scaling NCS efforts. With the 2024 election approaching, the insights shared at this event could play a pivotal role in shaping how the U.S. government moves forward on climate action, particularly in ensuring that NCS receives the funding and attention it needs to meet the nation’s climate goals.

With the growing political will and public backing, Natural Climate Solutions can become a cornerstone of U.S. climate policy, complementing needed efforts to decarbonize the energy and transportation sectors. The challenge now is to turn this momentum into actionable strategies that benefit both the environment and communities across the country.

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