Scientists link climate change to rising insurance costs for Iowans – Iowa Public Radio

Report on the 15th Annual Iowa Climate Statement: Economic and Environmental Imperatives for Sustainable Development

Introduction: A Collaborative Call for Climate Action

In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), nearly 200 science faculty from 26 Iowa colleges and universities have endorsed the 15th annual Iowa Climate Statement. The report highlights the escalating economic risks posed by climate change, particularly rising insurance costs, urging immediate and decisive measures consistent with SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Key Findings: Climate Change Impacts on Economic and Social Stability

The statement presents data and expert analysis on the tangible effects of climate change in Iowa, which directly challenge the achievement of several SDGs.

Economic Vulnerability and Infrastructure Resilience

• Increased Financial Disasters: The frequency of inflation-adjusted, billion-dollar disasters in the region has more than doubled in the last four decades. This trend undermines economic stability, a core component of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and threatens the resilience of communities as outlined in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• Rising Insurance Costs: Professor Dave Courard-Hauri of Drake University noted that as climate change increases risks from extreme weather, the cost of insurance—a mechanism for distributing private risk—will rise for everyone. This can lead to prohibitive costs and market instability, affecting housing affordability and community sustainability (SDG 11).
• Agricultural Sector at Risk: The report identifies farmers as particularly vulnerable. Federal crop insurance premiums reached $15.8 billion in 2024, with significant taxpayer subsidies. These costs, coupled with damage to equipment and structures, threaten food security and sustainable agricultural practices, which are central to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

Scientific Evidence and Environmental Degradation

• Global Temperature Rise: The burning of fossil fuels has led to increased atmospheric greenhouse gases. Professor Emeritus Bill Gutowski of Iowa State University confirmed that the Earth’s 10 hottest years on record have all occurred in the last decade, a direct consequence of inaction on SDG 13 (Climate Action).
• Altered Weather Patterns: A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, resulting in more intense precipitation events. The Midwest has seen a 45% increase in extreme precipitation days since the 1950s, leading to severe flooding, soil erosion, and more powerful storms. These impacts degrade terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15) and threaten water quality (SDG 6).
• Increased Severe Weather: Climate change is linked to more frequent large hail events, a primary driver of increased insurance rates in Iowa. This directly impacts the safety and resilience of infrastructure, a key concern of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Recommendations for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

The Iowa Climate Statement proposes a series of actions to mitigate risks and build a more sustainable future, aligning with multiple SDG targets.

1. Strengthen Infrastructure and Building Codes: To advance SDG 9 and SDG 11, the scientists recommend adopting stronger building standards, such as the International Residential Code and FORTIFIED construction standards. These measures would enhance the resilience of structures against high winds and hail, protecting assets and lives.
2. Incentivize Sustainable Practices: Homeowners can be encouraged to contribute to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through insurance incentives. Policies offering “green update coverages” allow for rebuilding with environmentally friendly materials, promoting a circular and sustainable economy.
3. Accelerate the Transition to Clean Energy: The report concludes that the most critical long-term solution is a rapid shift away from fossil fuels. Achieving SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by embracing renewable sources like wind and solar is fundamental to mitigating climate change and securing a sustainable economic future, thereby fulfilling the primary objective of SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The entire article is centered on climate change, its causes (burning of fossil fuels, increased greenhouse gases), and its impacts. It directly addresses the urgent need to combat climate change and its consequences, which is the core of SDG 13. The scientists’ statement is a call to action based on climate data, such as the fact that the “10 hottest years on record have all occurred in the last decade.”
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article discusses the impact of climate-related disasters on communities, specifically through rising insurance costs and risks to the housing market. It highlights the vulnerability of human settlements to extreme weather events like flooding and hailstorms. The recommendation to adopt stronger building standards like the “International Residential Code” and “FORTIFIED construction standards” directly relates to making cities and communities more resilient and sustainable.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • This goal is relevant through the discussion on the need for resilient infrastructure. The article points out that current building standards “may not be sufficiently protective” against new climate realities. The call for specific changes, such as different types of shingles and better roof attachments to protect against wind and hail, is a call to innovate and upgrade infrastructure (buildings) to be more sustainable and resilient.
4. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article explicitly identifies a long-term solution to the problems discussed: “quickly shifting away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, including wind and solar.” This directly connects to the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by promoting a transition to clean energy sources.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 13 (Climate Action):
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The article details the increase in climate-related hazards like “extreme precipitation days,” “flooding,” and “large hail events.” The recommendation to adopt stronger building codes is a direct strategy to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity.
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The scientists’ call for changes to be implemented “through the state Legislature” is a clear example of integrating climate change adaptation measures (new building standards) into state-level policy and planning.
2. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters… The article directly addresses the economic losses from disasters, citing that the “number of inflation-adjusted billion-dollar disasters… more than doubled in the last four decades” and highlighting the rising costs of insurance for homeowners and farmers.
   • Target 11.b: …increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards… adaptation to climate change, [and] disaster risk reduction… The recommendation to adopt established standards like the “International Residential Code” and “FORTIFIED construction standards” is a direct call for implementing policies and plans for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction at the community level.
3. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure):
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being… The focus on improving building standards to protect structures from “stronger wind and hail” is about developing more resilient infrastructure (housing) to withstand climate impacts, thereby supporting economic stability and well-being.
4. Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):
   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article’s concluding recommendation to solve the root cause of the problem is to shift “away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, including wind and solar,” which directly aligns with this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Explicit Indicators:
   • Number of billion-dollar disasters: The article explicitly states that “the number of inflation-adjusted billion-dollar disasters in the region… more than doubled in the last four decades.” This metric can be used to track economic losses from disasters (Target 11.5).
   • Frequency of extreme precipitation: The article mentions that “The number of extreme precipitation days in the Midwest has increased by around 45% since the 1950s.” This is a direct indicator of climate-related hazards (Target 13.1).
   • Cost of crop insurance premiums: The article provides a specific figure: “Federal crop insurance premiums hit $15.8 billion in 2024.” Tracking this cost serves as an indicator of the economic impact of climate change on agriculture and vulnerable populations (Target 11.5).
2. Implied Indicators:
   • Homeowner insurance rates: The central theme is the rise in insurance costs. Tracking these rates over time would be a key indicator of the economic impact of climate-related risks on communities (Target 11.5).
   • Adoption of building codes: The article recommends adopting specific codes. The number of municipalities or the percentage of new constructions adhering to these higher standards (e.g., FORTIFIED standards) would be an indicator of progress in building resilient infrastructure (Targets 9.1 and 11.b).
   • Share of renewable energy: The call to shift to renewable energy implies that the proportion of energy generated from wind and solar versus fossil fuels is a critical indicator for measuring progress on long-term solutions (Target 7.2).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: iowapublicradio.org