US President Barack Obama has established the new Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture to promote greater international engagement on ways agriculture can help mitigate the impact of climate change.

“Farmers, ranchers and other producers in the U.S. and around the world are feeling the impact of climate change now,” said Tom Vilsack, USDA secretary. “They are experiencing production challenges from extended droughts, more severe flooding, stronger storms, and new pests and diseases. The Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture offers the opportunity to collaboratively share knowledge, make investments and develop policies that will empower all producers to adapt to climate change and to mitigate its consequences. Long term global food security depends on us acting together now.”

The announcement was made during the United Nations Climate Summit in New York this week.