New Report: Climate Change Amplifies Crop Insurance Costs, Iowa Among Hardest Hit
A recent report by the Environmental Working Group reveals the staggering costs of extreme weather on crop insurance payouts, surpassing $118 billion nationally between 2001 and 2022. Iowa, alongside the Midwest, faced severe drought, emphasizing climate change's growing impact on agriculture. Managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the federal crop insurance program provides financial protection to farmers, but the costs of extreme weather events have more than doubled over the last two decades. Iowa ranks No. 4 in the country for drought-related indemnities, exceeding $4 billion during the same period. Climate change, particularly higher temperatures, has contributed significantly to increased crop insurance losses. Corn, soybean, and wheat farmers faced substantial losses due to excess moisture, hail, and freeze, with payments concentrated in communities along the Mississippi River. The report underscores the urgent need for adaptation measures, as the federal crop insurance program may inadvertently discourage farmers from adapting to climate change.
