1. Louisa County, IA, June 21, 2008 — The Iowa River covers most of the Town of Oakville and surrounding communities with up to ten feet of water. Both Louisa and neighboring Des Moines counties have been designated as eligible for federal aid. Oakville was spared in the great flood of 1993, but this time its fate is in question. Photo by Greg Henshall / FEMA

    Louisa County, IA, June 21, 2008 — The Iowa River covers most of the Town of Oakville and surrounding communities with up to ten feet of water. Both Louisa and neighboring Des Moines counties have been designated as eligible for federal aid. Oakville was spared in the great flood of 1993, but this time its fate is in question.

    Photo by Greg Henshall / FEMA

  2. think-progress: Iowa paper devotes its front page to fighting bullying. 

    think-progress:

    Iowa paper devotes its front page to fighting bullying. 

  3. nationalgeographicdaily: Tornado Aftermath, IowaPhoto: Timothy Wright The awesome power of a tornado is displayed in Mapleton, Iowa, April 11, 2011.

    nationalgeographicdaily:

    Tornado Aftermath, Iowa
    Photo: Timothy Wright

    The awesome power of a tornado is displayed in Mapleton, Iowa, April 11, 2011.

  4. »   31 Iowa Scientists Ask Candidates to Recognize Climate Change

    climateadaptation:

    “With the Iowa caucus now exactly seven weeks away, more than 30 Iowa scientists are asking political candidates to acknowledge the threats posed by ongoing climate change, particularly to Iowa’s farmers.”

    Climate Science and Public Policy in Iowa

    November, 2011

    The productive soils and favorable climate of Iowa underpin the economy of our State. Over the last half-century our farmers have adapted to changing conditions to keep Iowa ranked as one of the leading agriculture states in the US. We take well-earned pride in our contributions to national and global food security.

    Changes in rainfall patterns and other climate indicators have emerged as the latest and potentially the most serious challenge to Iowans’ lives and livelihoods. Subtle changes in climate can have large effects on agriculture, making it a sensitive indicator of climate change. Statewide data show changes in temperature, precipitation, and humidity over the last forty years affecting Iowa’s producers. In recent decades a longer growing season, more precipitation, and lack of extreme high daytime temperatures have contributed to improved crop yields in our State. But the accompanying increase in extreme rainfall events, higher humidity, and higher nighttime temperatures have required costly adaptations.

    Like its farmers, Iowa’s cities and rural communities, which provide our infrastructure, educational opportunities, and cultural amenities, also have felt the effects of a changing climate. Over the last 40 years intense rainfall has occurred about five times more often than in our previous history. As a result our communities have faced enormous expense to recover from repeated “500-year” floods. Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Iowa City, and Ames all have suffered multi-million dollar losses from floods since 1993. In 2008 alone, 85 of Iowa’s 99 counties were declared federal disaster areas.

    These changes in Iowa’s climate have clear connections to changes in global climate and to changes in how we use the land. As the global climate continues to evolve, our farmers and city planners will face new challenges to maintain the prosperity of our state and its role in national and global food security. All major scientific societies and the US National Academy of Science have affirmed that the recent rise in greenhouse gases in the global atmosphere has contributed to changes in our climate. We urge all candidates for public office at national, state, and local levels to acknowledge the overwhelming balance of evidence for the underpinning causes of climate change, to develop appropriate policy responses, and to develop local and statewide strategies to adapt to near-term changes in climate.

    Signed,*
    Chris Anderson, Climate Science Program, Iowa State University
    Ray Arritt, Climate Science Program, Iowa State University
    Bill Gutowski, Climate Science Program, Iowa State University
    Gene Takle, Climate Science Program, Iowa State University
    Mark Aronson, Department of Biology, Scott Community College
    Neil Bernstein, Chair, Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, Mount Mercy University
    Aaron Bunker, Department of Biology, Morningside College
    David Campbell, Henry R. Luce Professor in Nations & the Global Environment and Professor of Biology, Grinnell College
    David Courard-Hauri, Environmental Science and Policy Program, Drake University
    Richard Cruse, Director, Iowa Water Center, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University
    Gary Donnermeyer, Math/Science Department, Kirkwood Community College
    Robert de Haan, Environmental Studies Department, Dordt College
    Rhawn Denniston, Chair, Department of Geology, Cornell College
    Jack Gittinger, Department of Education, Simpson College
    Brian Hazlett, Director, Environmental Science Program, Briar Cliff University
    Laura Jackson, Professor of Biology, University of Northern Iowa
    M. Patrick McAdams, Division of Health and Life Science, William Penn University
    David McCullough, Professor of Biology, Coordinator, Environmental Studies, Wartburg College
    Gilbert Nebgen, Associate Professor of Science and Math, Indian Hills Community College
    Laura Peterson, Department of Chemistry, Environmental Studies Program, Luther College
    Gary Phillips, Environmental Studies Department, Iowa Lakes Community College
    Thomas Rosburg, Professor of Biology, Drake University
    Melanie Hansen Sadeghpour, Chair, Environmental Science Program, Des Moines Area Community College
    Paula Sanchini, Professor of Biology, Coe College
    Jerald Schnoor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Co-Director, Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa
    Keith Summerville, Environmental Science and Policy, Drake University
    Kathryn Szramek, Environmental Science and Policy, Drake University
    Martin St. Clair, Professor of Chemistry, Coe College
    Tracy Todd, Associate Professor of Biology, Northwestern College
    Paul Weihe, Biology & Environmental Science, Central College
    Danielle Wirth, Environmental Science Department, Des Moines Area Community College

  5. This video just made my morning.
    Also, I would marry this guy.

    Zach Wahls Speaks About Family (by divulgate)

  6. »   Climate Adaptation: Republican Governor Terry Branstad of Iowa breaks ground on 100 megawatt windfarm

    climateadaptation:

    Despite the headlines, things are happening at the local level. Excellent quote in the below article from Brandstand, “Twenty percent of the energy in Iowa is now being generated by wind,” said Gov. Terry Branstad.

    Franklin county wind L.L.C. and Alliant Energy are starting construction on a…

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