KCCI EIGHT NEWS AT SIX, THE 15TH ANNUAL CLIMATE STATEMENT SAYS SEVERE WEATHER WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON INSURANCE PREMIUMS FROM HOMEOWNERS TO FARMERS. EXPERTS SAY THE PRICE FOR INSURANCE DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE WILL CONTINUE TO RISE. KCCI MARCUS MCINTOSH JOINS US WITH A LOOK AT SOME OF THE SOLUTIONS THEY OFFERED UP. MARCUS. BEN AND STACI, THE EXPERTS ARE COLLABORATION OF 176 CLIMATE SCIENTISTS FROM 26 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE STATE OF IOWA. THEY’RE CONFIDENT THAT EXTREME WEATHER CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE WILL LEAD TO MORE EXPENSIVE INSURANCE FOR HOMEOWNERS WHOSE INSURANCE PREMIUMS ARE AFFECTED BY THE HIGH COST OF LABOR. BUILDING MATERIALS PLAY A ROLE AS WELL. THOSE RATES ARE TIED TO RISK ASSOCIATED WITH MORE SEVERE WEATHER. WE HAVE AN EXPERIENCE. WE HAVE EXPERIENCE IN RECENT YEARS. FARMERS ALSO SEEING MORE EXPENSIVE INSURANCE. EXPERTS SAY THEY ARE VULNERABLE TO DISASTERS, INTENSIFIED BY CLIMATE ISSUES. THE ANNUAL CLIMATE STATEMENT IS A SERIES OF COMMUNICATIONS FROM STATE RESEARCHERS AND EDUCATORS DETAILING THE IMPACT IOWANS ARE FACING FROM CLIMATE CHANGE, AND HOW TO ADDRESS AND ADAPT TO THOSE CHANGES. THE EXPERTS SAY REDUCING THE CLIMATE RELATED COSTS STARTS WITH CUTTING DOWN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM BURNING FOSSIL FUELS. OTHER OPTIONS MIGHT ALSO HELP, SO YOU CAN DO THINGS LIKE PLANTING NATIVE WIND BUFFERS AND STRATEGICALLY PLACED TREES TO EXTREME TO REDUCE EXTREME HEAT AND ENERGY BILLS. COLLECTIVELY, THESE SMALL ACTS CAN SAVE INSURANCE COSTS, BUT IN THE END, LEGISLATION IS NEEDED TO BETTER REDUCE LIABILITY. STAPLETON IS ENCOURAGING IOWANS TO REACH OUT TO THEIR LEGISLATORS TO LOBBY THEM TO ADOPT A
2025 Iowa Climate Statement: Climate change impacts insurance premiums
The 15th annual Climate Statement, a collaboration of state researchers and educators, reveals that severe weather events caused by climate change are affecting insurance premiums for homeowners and farmers in Iowa.The report suggests the price for insurance could continue to rise as extreme weather becomes more frequent. Experts emphasize that reducing climate-related costs begins with cutting greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels.”You can do things like planting native wind buffers and strategically placed trees to reduce extreme heat and energy bills,” said University of Iowa professor Emma Stapleton. “Collectively, these small acts can save insurance costs, but in the end, legislation is needed to better reduce liability.”Stapleton encourages Iowans to contact their lawmakers to ask them to adopt and enforce stronger building standards.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
The 15th annual Climate Statement, a collaboration of state researchers and educators, reveals that severe weather events caused by climate change are affecting insurance premiums for homeowners and farmers in Iowa.
The report suggests the price for insurance could continue to rise as extreme weather becomes more frequent. Experts emphasize that reducing climate-related costs begins with cutting greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels.
“You can do things like planting native wind buffers and strategically placed trees to reduce extreme heat and energy bills,” said University of Iowa professor Emma Stapleton. “Collectively, these small acts can save insurance costs, but in the end, legislation is needed to better reduce liability.”
Stapleton encourages Iowans to contact their lawmakers to ask them to adopt and enforce stronger building standards.
» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page
» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play