---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 6702"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "6702"
heading: "Study of global climate change, agriculture, and forestry"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/6702"
units:
  - "Chapter 96 — Global Climate Change"
---

# §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](/usc/7/1359aa.md?p=5); and
    - (E) changes in [pest](/usc/7/136.md?p=t) problems due to higher temperatures.
  - (2) **Further studies—** If the results of the study conducted under [paragraph (1)](#a-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](/usc/7/136.md?p=t), 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)](#a) and [(b)](#b) within 3 and 6 years, respectively, after November 28, 1990, to the [Committee](/usc/7/2132.md?p=n) on Agriculture and the [Committee](/usc/7/2132.md?p=n) on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, and the [Committee](/usc/7/2132.md?p=n) on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate. In addition, interim reports regarding such studies shall be provided by the Secretary to such [Committees](/usc/7/2132.md?p=n) 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.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIV, § 2403, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4059.)