Global Warming 

U.S. Code > Title 7 > Chapter 96 > § 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.

Legislative History

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