Monsanto seeking farmers’ help on carbon emissions

Monsanto is asking its farmer clients to help it meet a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2021, mainly by planting cover crops and reducing tillage.

This is an egregious example of a huge company trying to capture goodwill by making a flourish while global attention is focused this week on the Climate Change conference in Paris.

Climate change is one of the most vital issues facing humanity, Monsanto's chief executive officer Hugh Grant said.

Glad you notice, Mr. Grant.

Farmers’ contribution to reducing carbon emissions is an "untold story," Grant said.

Yeah, really. And Monsanto is just the one to tell it.

Farmers "have an opportunity and a part to play in mitigation around climate change," he said and "rather than being the problem, I think there's a growing realization they can be a big part of the solution."

The "growing realization" is in Monsanto's executive offices. Here on the ground in Ontario, farmers have been involved for more than two decades in developing and implementing Environmental Farm Plans.

And this just in:

"While Monsanto is claiming to be an important factor in protecting farmers from climate change and drought, the truth is they are a major cause of the problem,” said Moms Across America founder Zen Honeycutt. 

“Toxic chemicals sprayed on almost 90% of GMOs destroy the microbes in the soil, which prevents carbon from being absorbed. 

"Organic farming improves soil quality and the health of plants and people, while absorbing carbon. 

"As concerned mothers, we urge world leaders to support and subsidize organic farming.”