By Roz Brown, Public News Service – Iowa
Katie Rock, policy associate with the Center for Rural Affairs, said when talking to Iowa farmers, it’s increasingly clear that many want to innovate on their farms to address climate change. “They’ve taken the initiative to add on-site solar power and make energy-efficient upgrades, and these changes have led to significant cost-savings,” Rock said. “And farmers and landowners, they also lead through conservation practices that can improve soil health.”
Matt Russell is executive director of the state’s Interfaith Power and Light. He believes Iowa and other Midwest states that provide America’s food are in a position to lead the conversation on climate change. “One of our strongest ways to lead is to engage Iowa farmers to innovate on their farms, capturing carbon, generating renewable energy,” Russell said. “And then also to advocate for those practices and the resources to make that happen on their farms.”
Read the entire article or listen to the story here.
Photo: Flooding has cost Iowa residents, businesses and farmers about $18 billion over nearly three decades, according to a 2018 University of Iowa study. Credit: Pixabay/werner22brigitte
MORE CLIMATE ACTION NEWS
Michigan’s New Governor Puts Climate Change at Heart of Government, Inside Climate News
Gretchen Whitmer created a new office of climate and energy and is the 20th governor to join the U.S. Climate Alliance, committing to the Paris climate principles. Photo Credit: Governor Whitmer’s Office
IN NEBRASKA: UPCOMING EVENTS & RESOURCES
Nebraska Legislative Hearing
On Monday, February 11 at 12 pm there will be a hearing on LB283 before the Executive Board in room 1525. LB283 would provide funding to the University of Nebraska to
develop a plan for adapting to and mitigating the impacts of
climate change.
You can testify at the hearing or send written testimony to Senator Mike Hilgers, Executive Board Chair, by this Friday, February 8th. His email address is: mhilgers@leg.ne.gov.
Your letter must include your name and address, state a position for, against or neutral on the bill and include a request for the letter to be included as part of the public hearing record.
Nebraska Legislature: Testifier Tips
Nebraska Legislature News
- “Can Free Enterprise Solve Climate Change?” – Presentation by Bob Inglis, Founder & Executive Director of RepublicEn.Org
- OTOC & IPL Issue Cafe – “Climate Change in Nebraska: Projections, Impacts and Solutions”
Presented by Dr. Martha Shulski, State Climatologist and UNL professor of Natural Resources. She will discuss the local impacts and causes of global climate change and what Nebraska can do to combat it. Click HERE to link to the Facebook event page. - Spring Deadline for USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant Applications
- Links to information about solar land leases are posted here.