(WASHINGTON D.C. ) -- Former U-S Ambassador to China and former Iowa governor Terry Branstad testified before the U-S Senate Budget Committee's climate hearing today (Wednesday), remarking that agriculture is making great environmental strides. Branstad says U-S farmers are leading the world in efforts to reduce greenhouse gasses. He says, however, China is not. Branstad was U-S Ambassador to China during the Trump Administration.
"China is the largest greenhouse gas emitter and its water soil and air quality are extremely poor. I witnessed it firsthand. The actions that the Chinese government has taken demonstrate that they are not serious about water quality or soil quality for the benefit and health of the Chinese people," said Branstad.
U-S Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Ranking Member of the Committee invited Branstad to testify.
“Former Governor Branstad and I worked together during his time as Iowa’s governor to advocate for renewable and alternative energy solutions. And now, Iowa gets 60 percent of its energy from wind and leads the nation in ethanol production. We also opposed destructive federal policies, which would have driven up costs and meddled in the lives of hardworking farmers and businessmen,” Grassley said in his opening remarks.