Iowans are experiencing real impacts from climate change, including heavier rains and increased flooding.  Human health effects from climate change are just as real and are already being felt in Iowa, according to a statement released today by statewide group of 180 Iowa scientists.

“Climate change is negatively impacting our water quality, increasing exposures to allergens and air pollutants, introducing new infectious diseases, and imposing increased stress on Iowa families,” said Peter Thorne, Professor and Head of the Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa

 The scientists say the health‐related effects of extreme weather events are the most obvious, immediate, and direct.  These events are increasing in frequency and severity as our atmosphere warms and holds more moisture.

“Repeated heavy rains increase human exposure to toxic chemicals and raw sewage that are spread by flood waters,” said David Osterberg, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa.

Degraded water quality is also directly associated with climate change.  “In farm states like Iowa, higher water temperatures combine with high nutrient levels to create large harmful algal blooms which make water unsuitable for human and animal consumption and for recreation,” stated Osterberg.

“The Iowa Climate Statement 2014: Impacts on the Health of Iowans,” which was released today, was signed by 180 science faculty and research staff from 38 Iowa colleges and universities.  The statement is the 4^th Annual Iowa Climate Statement issued by Iowa scientists and researchers.

 “The strong support for the statement reflects the consensus among Iowa science faculty and research staff that action is needed now to lower emissions and find new ways to adapt to climate changes in order to reduce the risks of new health problems,” stated Dave Courard-Hauri, Associate Professor, Environmental Science and Policy Program, Drake University.

Climate change is also making it more difficult for many Iowans to breathe.  Plants produce more pollen, pollen that is increasingly potent in response to warmer temperatures and higher carbon dioxide levels in the air. 

“The number of Iowans with respiratory problems such as childhood asthma has increased dramatically since the 1980s. In many cases, this is linked to increased exposures to flood molds and to higher indoor moisture, as well as to lung-damaging ozone and fine particulate matter from burning fossil fuels,” said Thorne.

“New infectious diseases are becoming more common in the Midwest as the organisms that carry them move north due to rising temperatures. Disease carrying mosquitos and ticks are living longer and expanding their range due to increasing temperatures, more rainfall, and longer summers,” said Yogesh Shah, Associate Dean, Department of Global Health, Des Moines University.

 “Our changing climate’s influence on mental health is less obvious, but it is well established that thousands of Iowans have been impacted by stress from the loss of homes and income due to climate-related flooding and drought,” Mary Mincer Hansen, Adjunct Professor, College of Health Sciences MPH Program, Des Moines University.

 “As long as greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, climate‐related health problems will continue to grow,” said Neil Bernstein, Chair, Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, Mount Mercy University. The scientists agree that adopting strong climate‐change policies will play a vital role in diminishing human suffering and illness now and for generations to come.

 “It is clear that expanding energy efficiency and clean renewable energy efforts will have the co‐benefits of reducing air pollution and the creation of additional jobs and economic opportunities for Iowans,” stated Bernstein.

 

The lead authors of the “Iowa Climate Statement 2014: Impacts on the Health of Iowans” include:

 

Peter S. Thorne, Professor and Head Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, Director, Environmental Health Sciences Research Center, College of Public Health, University of Iowa

Yogesh Shah, Associate Dean , Department of Global Health, Des Moines University

David Osterberg, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa

Mary Mincer Hansen, Adjunct Professor, College of Health Sciences MPH Program, Des Moines University

David Courard-Hauri, Associate Professor, Environmental Science and Policy Program, Drake University

Neil Bernstein, Chair, Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, Mount Mercy University.

Editing assistance by Connie Mutel, Senior Science Writer, IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering, University of Iowa.

 

The 38 Colleges and Universities of statement endorsers:

Buena Vista University

Central College

Clarke University

Coe College

Cornell College

Des Moines Area Community College

Des Moines University

Dordt College

Drake University

Eastern Iowa Community College

Ellsworth Community College

Grinnell College

Indian Hills Community College

Iowa Central Community College

Iowa Lakes Community College

Iowa State University

Iowa Western Community College

Kirkwood Community College

Loras College

Luther College

Maharishi University of Management

Morningside College

Mount Mercy University

Northeast Iowa Community College

Northwestern College

Scott Community College

Simpson College

Southeastern Community College

Southwestern Community College

Saint Ambrose University

University of Dubuque

University of Iowa

University of Northern Iowa

Upper Iowa University

Waldorf College

Wartburg College

Western Iowa Tech Community College

William Penn University

 

Endorser affiliations are for identification purposes only and do not reflect views of their academic institutions.

 

The statement can be found at www.cgrer.uiowa.edu