DES MOINES, IOWA (March 27, 2025) — This spring, the Iowa Environmental Council is launching a new four-part webinar series focusing on climate change, resiliency, and disaster preparedness in Iowa. These webinars are free and open to the public, and each will feature an expert guest to dig deeper into the topic. The series kicks off on April 23, 12-1PM, with a conversation about the relationship between climate and agriculture. Participants will learn about Iowa's agricultural landscape and how climate change impacts farms and fields. Laurie Nowatzke, USDA Midwest Climate Hub Coordinator, will share a special presentation. You can read more about the series on our blog.
Understanding Iowa's Changing Climate will provide insight into Iowa’s agricultural future as we face unprecedented climate events. Cody Smith, IEC Director of Climate Initiatives, will discuss how climate change plays a role in Iowa’s agricultural economy, which accounts for 22% of Iowa’s total GDP. The Iowa agricultural sector has shown vulnerability to climate crises. For example, the 2020 derecho and other extreme weather caused an estimated $45.2 million in infrastructure damage and recovery costs, and roughly $802 million in damage to farms and fields.
The webinar will also highlight the new Climate Change and Environmental Health map, a web-based tool highlighting more than 45 different environmental pollutants, climate change threats, and public health data points for Iowa communities. This map can help inform local environmental efforts and evaluate populations that are at greater risk for health and environmental challenges. For farmers and agriculturalists this information is especially relevant, because similar mapping tools have recently been removed from federal websites.
