December event will examine costs of climate change in the state
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Written by: Leslie Gannon

Over the past few years, Iowa has been experiencing swings from one weather extreme to another. Scientists and others say the climactic fluctuations are expensive and impact Iowa agriculture, businesses, government, and people. A symposium next month will examine the challenges and costs the state faces in adapting to extreme weather.

The symposium, Adapting to Weather Extremes: the Economic Impact in Iowa, will be held on Dec. 11 at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. It is sponsored by the University of Iowa Public Policy Center, with support from the Iowa Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. Co-sponsoring the event are the UI Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, the UI's IIHR Hydroscience and Engineering, the Iowa Water Center, Iowa State University's Climate Science Program, and the UI School of Urban and Regional Planning.

The objectives of the symposium are to:

  • Better understand the current and future challenges facing Iowa due to extreme weather.
  • Identify leading challenges to key sectors of Iowa’s economy affected by extreme weather, the costs of these impacts, and how these sectors are mitigating and adapting to change.
  • Facilitate productive discussions among government and business leaders, policy makers and citizens about strategies for mitigating and adapting to extreme weather.
  • Generate policy options for adapting to weather extremes in Iowa.

State government presenters include:

  • Bruce Rastetter, president, Board of Regents, state of Iowa
  • Bill Northey, secretary of Agriculture, state of Iowa
  • Chuck Gipp, director, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
  • Paul Trombino III, director, Iowa Department of Transportation
  • Mark Schouten, director, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management
  • Nick Gerhart, insurance commissioner, state of Iowa

Leading faculty and researchers from Iowa State University and the UI will share their relevant work, and state policy makers will discuss the implications for future policy in Iowa.

The cost is $25 and includes lunch, $10 for students. Advance registration is required.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this symposium, contact Leslie Gannon in advance at 319-335-6817 or at leslie-gannon@uiowa.edu.