Reports on the effects of climate change seem worlds away from us in Iowa. Yet, Iowans also are dealing with its effects. Until recently, one could predict certain weather events would happen during certain months of the year. Lately that predictability has been changing. These noticeable changes are part of a pattern called climate change. Here are some of its impacts:
- Precipitation has increased about 10 percent since the 1940s. More rain falls in the first half of the year, leading to wetter springs. The rain comes in downpours, which leads to greater erosion.
- Stronger storms are occurring.
- Floods are more frequent and more severe. Since 2000, significant floods have occurred in all of Iowa’s major rivers.
- Stream flows have increased since the 1940s.
- Soils remain closer to saturation points in the spring.
- Over the last 30 years, wind speeds have declined.
- Dew-point temperatures are rising, meaning there is more moisture in the air, particularly during the summer.
- Nighttime temperatures are rising more than daytime temperatures and winter temperatures are increasing more than summer temperatures.
- There are five more frost-free days per year since 1950. The growing season has been extended. The US Department of Agriculture even updated its Plant Hardiness Zone Map to reflect Iowa’s warmer temperatures.
Addressing Climate Change Creates Benefits for Iowans
To avert the ever-intensifying impacts of climate change, we must transition to clean, renewable energy NOW! Investing in climate change solutions will bequeath our children and grandchildren a world that is safer, healthier, more prosperous, and more sustainable. Here are just of few of the benefits Iowans stand to gain:
- New jobs in wind and solar manufacturing and installation
- Reducing energy costs by increasing energy efficiency and fuel efficiency
- Greater energy independence by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels
- Improving public health from the reduction of fossil fuel pollutants in our air and water.
Risks of Ignoring Climate Change
Those who oppose implementing clean and renewable energy policy often express concerns about the associated costs. But it is almost certain to cost us many times as much if we continue on our current unsustainable course. These costs include impacts on Iowa businesses, farms, and individual citizens.
Iowa manufactures and farmers are and will face losses in the form of both direct and indirect costs associated with increased floods, droughts, and heatwaves. As land and ocean temperatures rise, atmospheric moisture dramatically increases. This in turn disrupts the uniform rain patterns Iowa farmers normally experience and instead results in more isolated “rain bombs” that leave some areas with little rain and others with far too much. As temperatures continue their dramatic and unprecedented increase, these weather disruptions and the catastrophic financial losses they cause will only get worse.
As temperatures increase, businesses will find the productivity of their workers declining dramatically. Working in ever-hotter temperatures – particularly in construction and other outdoor trades – reduces mental and physical endurance and puts workers at risk for heatstroke.
Energy costs related to rising temperatures also are expected to rise dramatically. A two or three degree rise in temperature – an increase we already are experiencing – translates to a far more dramatic rise in energy use. And as every businessperson knows, increased costs mean either greater overhead or higher prices, both of which can threaten business survival.
Rising temperatures can lead to deadly health conditions like severe dehydration and heat stroke, particularly among children and seniors whose bodies have more difficulty regulating temperature.
There Is Plenty Of Good News Right Here In Iowa
Iowans are down-to-earth people who take pride in meeting the challenges we face head-on. However great the tests presented by climate change, we will not back down. The science is clear. The risks to Iowans are great. It is time to step up and aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions!
- Iowa is a national leader in wind energy, producing the highest percentage of electricity produced by wind – over 36 percent of total demand – of any state.
- The wind industry in Iowa has generated millions of dollars in tax revenues for use by schools, colleges, roads, and rural services. It supports thousands of jobs throughout the manufacturing and installation sectors and provides much-needed rent and royalty payments for Iowa farmers.
- Iowa’s solar capacity is growing rapidly. Iowa’s utilities, such as Cedar Falls Utilities and Farmers Electric Cooperative have been building solar arrays with the goal of rapidly transitioning away from fossil fuels, while creating substantial benefits for local communities.
- Cities like Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Dubuque are in the process of developing extensive sustainable energy plans that will both benefit taxpayers and combat climate change.
- Universities including Luther College, Grinnell College and Maharishi University of Management, are implementing significant renewable energy installations.
- Growing numbers of Iowa farmers, businesses, and homeowners are installing their own solar and wind projects and reaping substantial financial rewards.
And with your help, there’s plenty more good news to come.
Material is compiled from:
“Iowa Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Report,” 2011, United States Environmental Protection Agency pilot project, pages 17, 41, 42 and 44
“Climate Change Impacts on Iowa, 2010,” Iowa Climate Change Impacts Committee, article by Eugene “Gene” S. Takle titled “Climate Changes in Iowa,” January 1, 2011, pages 8 to 13
Gene Tackle Prepared Testimony, Exhibit Sierra Club-GT-1, Iowa Utilities Board, Docket No. HLP-2014-0001, In Re Dakota Access LLC, October 12, 2015
Donnelle Eller, “Study: Climate change could hammer Iowa ag, manufacturing”, Des Moines Register, January 23, 2015
Daniel P. Finney and Yvonne Beasley, “As Iowa winters warm up, gardeners see more options,” The Des Moines Register, January 26, 2012
