Week 13: Local Climate Change

 

  1. This week in lab we explore climate change further. We were divided into groups and each group explored how climate change is impacting ag/plant life, precipitation, or temperature. My group explored precipitation, and we learned that overall heavier rainfall is becoming more common, increasing the risk of flooding, runoff, and erosion. Below are my notes about ag/plant and temperature impacts from the presentations. 

Ag/Plant Life:

Local

  • More rainfall causing soil erosion making it harder for plants to grow 

  • Also causes structural damage to buildings  

  • Destroys habitats 

  • Farmers are changing planting/harvest times

  • Increases temp: stress on animals, decreased food & food quality 

Regionally 

  • Changing structure of prairies, wetlands, and forests 

  • Wetlands and rivers more flooding and erosion 

  • Tree mortality 

  • Crop yield/planting season is unpredictable

Globally 

  • There has been a shift in typical patterns and climates globally 

  • Pests, diseases, and toxins are spreading to different regions

  • Overall good production losses, from being their too hot or too cold where it was once grown 




Temperature:

Greenhouse Effect

  • Earth has a natural greenhouse effect that keeps the planet warm enough to support life

  • Human impact: Burning fossil fuels increases greenhouse gases (like CO₂ and methane), which trap more heat and enhance the natural greenhouse effect

Burning Fossil Fuels

  • The primary human activity causing increased greenhouse gasses in the burning of burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)

  • Leads to global warming and changes in climate patterns.

Locals

  • Iowa City has warmed by about 1–1.5°F since the late 20th century

  • Increased temperatures can contribute to more intense rain events, flooding, and heat waves

Regional

  • Northwest Iowa: Average temperatures have risen from ~45°F to ~48°F.

  • Central Iowa: Temperatures have increased slightly, contributing to earlier springs and longer growing seasons.

  • Southeast Iowa: Warming trends are similar, impacting agriculture, river levels, and local ecosystems.

Global Impact

  • Sea levels will rise 

  • Hurricanes will become stronger

  • More doughnuts and heat eaves

  • Longer wildfire season

  • Arctic will become ice free

Warming Predictions 

  • 2024 warmest year ever 

  • Continue warming 


  1. How is climate change impacting Iowa?

  2. I was not able to attend discussion this week as I was sick. 

  3. In Chapter 13, I learned more about local climate change in Iowa. The visuals and graphs used throughout this chapter were especially helpful to strengthen my understanding. Furthermore, this was helpful because oftentimes we focus on climate change at a global level, when it is occurring here as well. I learned that Iowa is experiencing and will continue to experience hotter temperatures, more extreme heatwaves, more precipitation, and droughts which are negatively impacting our agriculture and habitats. I found it especially saddening that our hotter temperatures will lead to an increase in agricultural pests, and an increased risk for sickness and death for pigs and other livestock. However, I also learned that we can make a difference by calculating our carbon footprint, educating ourselves on climate change issues, and talking with our politicians. But, I am wondering how impactful these changes are, and what conditions are irreversible. 

  4. I have no questions, comments, or concerns at this time.

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