climate impacts
Climate Change in the Hawkeye State
Impacts on Iowa Communities and Ecosystems
Global Warming Solutions: Reducing Heat-Trapping Emissions in Iowa Impacts on Iowa Communities and Ecosystems
Iowa, located in the very heart of North America, is bounded by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River to the west. Iowa lies in a transition zone where ecosystems of the Great Plains abut more easterly forests. With its more than 97,000 farms, Iowa's landscape is still largely rural, and the state is an essential part of America's—and thus the world's—breadbasket. More than half of Iowa's three million residents, however, now live in urban and suburban areas. The overwhelming majority of scientists are now convinced that human activities—primarily the burning of fossil fuels to produce electricity and drive our cars, as well as land use changes—are changing our climate. These activities emit gases, principally carbon dioxide (CO2), that blanket the planet and trap heat. Already, we are seeing signs of climate change throughout the Midwest: average annual temperatures are increasing; severe rainstorms have become more frequent and overall precipitation has increased; and growing seasons have become longer while winters are getting shorter. The latest, most reliable projections of future climate change combine 100 years of historical data for Iowa with the most up-to-date general circulation models of Earth’s climate system. While uncertainties in these climate models remain, there is general agreement among climate scientists that Iowa’s climate will grow considerably warmer and probably drier over this century, especially in summer. These changes will dramatically affect what the climate will be like. By 2030, Iowa summers may resemble those of Kansas in terms of average temperature and rainfall. By the end of the century, Iowa’s summer climate will generally be more like that of current northwest Mississippi. Winters will also change, albeit less drastically. By century's end, they may be similar to current-day northern Kansas. What Iowa's Climate Will Be Like
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View a complete summary highlighting the potential impacts of climate change on Iowa's economy, people, and the places where they live, work, and enjoy the outdoors. A more comprehensive, fully referenced version of the document is also available. The climate analysis done for Iowa builds upon the work of Dr. Don Wuebbles and Katharine Hayhoe, who developed this methodology for Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region. Iowa details, including figures, and the original methodology are both available.
Global Warming Solutions: Reducing Heat-Trapping Emissions in Iowa
Our climate is changing because humans are adding large amounts of heat-trapping gases to the atmosphere. The good news is that practical solutions exist today to address this growing problem. While some warming is inevitable because past carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions blanketing the earth will continue to have a warming effect for decades, the most extreme outcomes for Iowa can be avoided if responsible measures are taken locally, nationally, and elsewhere in the world now. Many of the solutions to climate change provide immediate benefits, including energy cost savings, cleaner air and water, and new jobs. Ignoring climate change is not an option. Waiting 10 or 20 years or more to reduce emissions will increase the eventual severity, expense, and likelihood of irreversible losses—a terrible legacy to leave our children and grandchildren. Tackling the Problem at the Source  To reduce climate change impacts, there is an important role for everyone: governments, businesses, and individual families. Power plants and motor vehicles are the biggest sources of emissions in Iowa. Emissions from industry, businesses, and homes will also need to be reduced. In addition, improvements in agricultural and land use practices offer the potential for reducing emissions and storing carbon.
View a summary of global warming solutions in in Iowa.
Learn more about what choices your family can make to reduce its global warming impact. |
