Iowa Ditches Indifference, Challenges Climate Science
TL/DR –
The article discusses the lack of action on climate change in Iowa, with the state government’s attitude being described as “blissful ignorance.” It highlights a bill in the Iowa Legislature that would remove language related to climate change from state law. The article also notes that the Department of Education is reviewing science education standards that previously omitted the words “climate change.” The article calls for leaders to promote discussions on climate change and implement sustainable policies, and it criticizes denial of climate change at all levels of government.
Iowa Leaders Must Address Climate Change
Iowa’s approach to climate change over the years can be described as blissful ignorance. Despite mounting evidence that human activity is contributing to global warming, the state’s top policymakers have shown little concern. This attitude is concerning, especially since agricultural sectors, such as crop farming, are sensitive to climate shifts. Moreover, policymakers have failed to acknowledge the connection between climate change and the increasing costs of property insurance, often associated with severe disasters caused by climate change.
It is both surprising and disappointing that the first major deadline for the 2025 Iowa Legislature has passed without any legislation to address climate change. This year, there is increasing antagonism at various levels of government towards acknowledging climate change. The seeming indifference towards the warnings of experts is alarming and suggests a movement towards suppression.
Our ability to mitigate the worst effects of climate change is constantly diminishing. Therefore, any delay in taking action is a surrender to a future of increased warming-induced hardship. Iowa leaders should encourage conversations about climate change and enact policies that ensure sustainability.
Related: Iowa should dedicate a state office to leadership on climate change mitigation and adaptation
Efforts to Remove ‘Climate’ from Legislation
The term “climate” appears in only a few of the hundreds of bills introduced in the Iowa Legislature this year. The main bill still under consideration, House File 302, aims to remove language from the 1990s from Iowa Code that expresses the state’s intent to reduce dependency on petroleum products and to decrease atmospheric pollution from burning fossil fuels. The bill also instructs the Iowa Utilities Commission not to consider climate change when deciding whether to grant a permit for a hazardous liquid pipeline. This is a shortsighted tactic to address opposition towards the pipelines.
Iowans Criticize Dept. of Education Over Science-Standard Wording
Iowa educators recently reviewed public feedback about proposed updates to the state’s science education standards for K-12. There have been concerns that the language used for public feedback often replaced “evolution” and “climate change” with “biological change over time” and “climate trends.” The Department of Education received over 5,000 written comments about these changes, many of which were about restoring “evolution” and “climate change”.
Trump’s Climate Science Dismissal Hurts Americans
No discussion of climate change policy can be complete without recognizing the drastic change in the federal government under President Donald Trump. Trump repeatedly tried to repeal regulations related to climate mitigation and environmental protection. His policies threatened to destroy research on climate effects and set back weather forecasting by decades. Trump’s nominee to lead the EPA’s climate change office advocated for adapting to higher temperatures, not trying to prevent them.
Americans Becoming More Aware of Climate Change Harms
A recent survey found that 39% of Americans believe global warming is significantly harming the health of Americans, up from 31% in 2014. Can climate denial at all levels of government reverse this increased awareness? Iowa officials have the chance to lead by acknowledging harmful emissions in state law and taking real steps to reduce them.
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