Confronting Climate Change in the U.S. Midwest

The report projects that Iowa will face significantly hotter summers, increased flooding in winter and spring, and new threats to agriculture due to climate change. Under a higher-emissions scenario, Des Moines could see over 85 days per summer above 90°F and frequent heat waves similar to the 1995 Chicago disaster. Agriculture is threatened by heat stress for corn and livestock, as well as the northward expansion of pests like the corn earworm. The document argues that Iowa can mitigate these risks by strengthening its renewable electricity standard, promoting energy efficiency, and banning coal plants without carbon capture and storage, supported by federal cap-and-trade and fuel economy standards.

• Under a higher-emissions scenario, average summer temperatures in Iowa are projected to increase by more than 3°F over the next several decades and by 14°F toward the end of the century. By the end of the century, every summer is projected to be as hot as or hotter than 1988, which was the state's hottest summer of the last half century.
• Extreme heat in Des Moines is projected to increase dramatically under a higher-emissions scenario, with the city potentially experiencing more than 85 days per summer over 90°F and more than 33 days over 100°F toward the end of the century. This would include at least three heat waves per summer comparable to the 1995 Chicago heat wave.
• Climate change is projected to alter precipitation patterns in Iowa, making winters and springs almost 30 percent wetter toward the end of the century under a higher-emissions scenario, which increases flash flooding risks. Conversely, summers are projected to see almost 20 percent less rain, increasing the likelihood of short-term droughts.
• Iowa's agricultural sector faces significant risks from heat stress and pests. Three-day periods of temperatures 95°F or higher are projected to occur every summer toward the end of the century under a higher-emissions scenario, threatening corn yields. Additionally, warmer winters may allow the corn earworm to expand its range, with conducive conditions occurring every year toward the end of the century.
• Livestock in Iowa, particularly dairy cattle, hogs, and pigs, are projected to experience near-permanent heat stress during the average summer toward the end of the century under a higher-emissions scenario, unless costly cooling measures like air-conditioned barns are implemented.
• Energy use accounts for over 70 percent of Iowa's global warming emissions, with electricity generation contributing 44 percent and agriculture contributing 23 percent. Iowa's per capita emissions are approximately 60 percent higher than the national average.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2009). Confronting Climate Change in the U.S. Midwest. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/climate-change-iowa.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Confronting Climate Change in the U.S. Midwest. 2009. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/climate-change-iowa.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Confronting Climate Change in the U.S. Midwest |date=July 2009 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/climate-change-iowa.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2009confronting, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Confronting Climate Change in the U.S. Midwest}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2009}, month = jul, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/climate-change-iowa.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }