Should Iowa Farmers Start Adapting to a Warming Climate?
AMES, Iowa – It looks like Iowa farmers will have to adapt in order to avoid crop failures resulting from climate change in coming years, according to a new report compiled by local, regional and federal scientists and climatologists. Professor Gene Takle directs the Climate Science Initiative, part of Iowa State University’s Agronomy Department. He says the “Corn and Climate Report” raises some perplexing issues. Although summers have actually been on the cool side in recent years, with a period of especially favorable weather in the Midwest right now, farmers should be cautious about getting too comfortable. Tackle says, looking out 50 to 75 years, a warming climate could negatively impact crop development. He adds, however, that clean energy opportunities could help Iowa farmers protect their livelihoods while helping reduce the environmental damage from greenhouse gas emissions. “In the long-term, the projections are that greenhouse gas, as it continues to rise, will continue to le
