Iowa Environmental Council

IEC was honored to host Dr. Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, for an exclusive presentation as part of the 2024 Borlaug International Dialog series. Dr. Haddad is a 2018 World Food Prize Laureate.

Dr. Haddad's presentation about the opportunities to more closely align nutrition policy and climate initiatives drew an engaged crowd to The Harkin Center yesterday. and co-hosted the event, with sponsorship from , , @, , and the Bioethics Program and Sustainable Agriculture Graduate Program.

Don't miss your chance to hear World Food Prize Laureate Dr. Lawrence Haddad discuss the connections between climate and nutrition. Join us tomorrow, October 31, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. for this FREE lecture in Des Moines. Swipe for details and register at www.iaenvironment.org/climatelecture

Check out our solar and wind energy fact sheets, newly updated with 2024 statistics. IEC strives to provide thorough, accurate, and timely data about clean energy technologies, and our fact sheets offer a snapshot of where our state stands.

Use them as a resource for engaging your community or educating decision-makers.

Highlights from the updated fact sheets include:

☑️Approximately 627 megawatts of solar capacity installed, with more than 2,500 MW capacity coming online in the next few years
☑️More than 13,000 MW of wind energy online, covering nearly 65% of Iowa's energy needs
☑️More than 5,000 jobs and 130 companies across the state supported directly by the clean energy industry

https://www.iaenvironment.org/news-resources/fact-sheets/energy-fact-sheets

Did you ever collect baseball cards or Pokémon cards? It’s a fun hobby! You get to look at a cool photo, check out the stats of your favorite player, and share with friends and family.

Clean Up MidAm has released trading cards for MidAmerican’s coal plants in Iowa, and trust us, it’s a lot less fun. Replace cute animals and All-Star players with coal ash and air pollution. Replace home runs and RBIs with groundwater contamination and rising asthma rates.

We believe it's important for Iowans to know the truth about these coal plants, and the costs of MidAmerican’s choice to keep burning coal. Please share these with your networks and join us in asking, "What's the plan, MidAm?"

Learn more and get health stats for each coal plant: cleanupmidam.com/tradingcards

Check out the lecture series from World Food Prize Foundation which includes a presentation hosted by IEC, featuring Dr. Lawrence Haddad, 2018 WFP Laureate.

Register (free) here: https://www.iaenvironment.org/get-involved/council-events/climate-and-nutrition-why-they-need-each-other-and-

Thank you to The Harkin Institute, Lutheran Services in Iowa, LSI Global Greens, Epsilon Eta - Drake, ISU Graduate Program in Sustainable Iowa State University Sustainable Agriculture Graduate Program and Iowa State University Bioethics Program.

Looking for an opportunity to work at an environmental nonprofit? Interested in Iowa's water? Passionate about Iowan's health?

The Water Program Manager will conduct outreach, education, advocacy, and coalition-building to build momentum for actions at the state, local, and corporate levels that will lead to clean, safe, and resilient lakes, rivers, and streams.

Offering a competitive salary, full benefits, and an opportunity to make a real difference, IEC is a non-profit that you can be excited to work for.

Learn more here: https://www.iaenvironment.org/about-us/join-our-team/46/job-detail/ 🔗🌊🤝

Iowa Environmental Council Our mission: A just, healthy environment & sustainable future for all Iowans

Join us to hear from an international thought leader and policy expert about the intersections of climate and global nutrition. IEC, The Harkin Institute, and World Food Prize Foundation are honored to welcome Dr. Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition and a 2018 World Food Prize Laureate.

Dr. Haddad will present "Climate and Nutrition: Why They Need Each Other and Opportunities for Joint Action," from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. on October 31, at the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center at Drake University, 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines.

The event is free and open to the public; however, space is limited so pre-registration is required. Visit www.iaenvironment.org/climatelecture to learn more and register.

In June 2018, the World Food Prize Foundation awarded the 2018 World Food Prize to Dr. Haddad and David Nabarro, former Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General. Announcing the award, Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, World Food Prize President, cited the recipients for their "extraordinary intellectual and policy leadership in bringing maternal and child nutrition to the forefront of the global food security agenda."

Special thanks to our sponsors and partners for this event: Drake Epsilon Eta, Lutheran Services in Iowa, LSI Global Greens, Des Moines Area Religious Council.

Today is Indigenous People's Day, an annual day that recognizes the history, traditions, culture, and ongoing contributions and wisdom of Indigenous communities and people. In Iowa, there are many ways to observe Indigenous People's Day not just today, but to grow our knowledge and understanding every day.

IEC is proud to support Iowa Ideas 2024 , an event series presented by The Gazette. Several IEC team members will serve as panelists within the conference's Energy & Environment Track, October 10-11. Sessions include:

The Biggest Bang for the Environmental Buck
The Debate over Public land in Iowa
Environmental Justice in Iowa
Green Your Home and Yard
Utility Costs Explained
Climate Change: Are We Future Ready?
Protecting Iowans from the Danger of Lead Pipes

Check out all the tracks and sessions at

Iowa Ideas 2024 | The Gazette Iowa Ideas 2024: The Gazette hosts expert panelists in Diversity and Inclusion, Workforce, Health Care, Education, Infrastructure, Energy, Environment, and more

Presenting at the Iowa School Energy conference was an excellent opportunity to educate Iowa school districts on the incentives available through the Inflation Reduction Act. Although the incentives are available through 2032, representatives from the school districts in attendance were encouraged to develop plans to take full advantage of the available incentives to manage their future energy needs. As IEC followers and members, please help spread the word and encourage those in your networks to reach out to IEC if they need assistance!

With protections from - a federal conservation practice - wetlands are preserved on agricultural lands. A new lawsuit brought to a U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Iowa is challenging the legality of Swampbuster. This lawsuit seeks to invalidate them, with no state-level program to fall back on if the programs cease.

Losing the Swampbuster protection could mean losing all benefits of on a farmer's land, including control, reduced runoff and risk, critical for native species, and more. Learn more about this case at iaenvironment.org.

That's a wrap! The first-ever 2024 Iowa Environmental Education Week was a success, thanks to our incredible IEC team, Board of Directors, our co-hosts at The Harkin Institute and Drake University, 50+ speakers and panelists, sponsors, our amazing member organizations, community partners, and advocates. Thank you for attending and engaging with IEC in pursuit of a more just and sustainable future.

We're especially grateful to Des Moines Water Works for sponsoring the keynote address at the IEC Annual Conference, and for hosting tours of its impressive facility for IEC's staff, Board, and partners, including Bruno Pigott, EPA Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water, former Iowa State Senator Joe Bolkcom, Heartland Co-op, Polk County Iowa, and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

https://www.iowaenvironmentaleducationweek.com/

MidAmerican's coal plants are costing us millions - and it's showing up on our electric bills!
The George Neal South plant alone had over $21 million in excess costs in just three years. It's time for MidAmerican to stop wasting our money on outdated coal technology and invest in a clean energy future.

https://win.newmode.net/cleanupmidam/expensivecoal

🌟 Meet Charlie Wishman 🌟

We’re thrilled to have Charlie Wishman, President of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, as a panelist at the IEC Annual Conference happening TODAY! A fierce advocate for workers’ rights, Charlie’s leadership is all about building power for working people.

Don’t miss his insights on driving change for working people in Iowa, as we move toward a greener and more sustainable future.

🎟️ Register now: https://www.iaenvironment.org/get-involved/council-events/2024conference

🌟 Speaker Spotlight: Katie Garvey 🌟

We’re excited to welcome Katie Garvey, Staff Attorney at the Environmental Law & Policy Center, to the IEC Annual Conference on September 24th! Katie is dedicated to protecting the Midwest’s waters from agricultural runoff and has a strong background in environmental law.

Join us to hear Katie’s insights on how recent legal changes could impact Iowa’s land and water.

🎟️ Register now: https://www.iaenvironment.org/get-involved/council-events/2024conference

Iowa ratepayers shouldn't be footing the bill for MidAmerican's aging coal plants!

A new report shows the George Neal North plant had over $22 million in excess costs in just three years - and all of it was charged to us.

If MidAmerican wants to keep these plants open, they need to take responsibility for the costs. It's time to and transition to a clean energy future.

https://win.newmode.net/cleanupmidam/expensivecoal

Iowa's shifting to clean energy - but what are the legal hurdles?

Join us at the IEC Annual Conference to hear from Josh Mandelbaum, a Des Moines City Council member AND a Senior Attorney at the Environmental Law & Policy Center.

He is participating in a panel discussion on new EPA rules, transmission issues, and how the state's overseeing utilities.

Don't miss this chance to understand the legal side of our renewable future!

Register today: https://www.iaenvironment.org/get-involved/council-events/2024conference

Nitrate pollution is threatening our water sources. Learn about the causes and the solutions. Register for the IEC Annual Conference on September 24, and hear from experts like Dani Replogle, Staff Attorney for Food & Water Watch. She's speaking on a panel that is directly addressing nitrate pollution in Iowa's waterways.

https://www.iaenvironment.org/get-involved/council-events/2024conference

Thank you for your support of our Annual Conference! The Iowa Environmental Council's work is only possible thanks to the support of dedicated individuals like you.

Thank you!

https://www.iaenvironment.org/get-involved/council-events/2024conference

🌱 What is environmental justice? What does it look like in Iowa, and why is it critical to our future?

Hear from:

🌍Charles Pearson, African American Historic Resource Consultant

🌍Manisha Paudel, Chief Equity Officer, City of Des Moines

🌍Ted Corrigan, CEO and General Manager, Des Moines Water Works

🌍Tamara Marcus, Owner, Empowered Solutions Collective

🌍Cody Smith, Director of Climate Initiatives, Iowa Environmental Council.

Don't miss this session on September 24 at the Iowa Environmental Council Annual Conference. Get your tickets today.

https://www.iaenvironment.org/get-involved/council-events/2024conference

🌱 Environmental Education Week: Addressing the Hidden Costs of Our Food System

As part of Environmental Education Week (September 23-26), this conference from The Harkin Institute the hidden costs of industrial farm animal production on our environment and health. Learn from experts, engage in critical discussions, and discover ways to advocate for a healthier and more sustainable future.

Register today. https://www.iowaenvironmentaleducationweek.com/

Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the Des Moines Water Works on September 23rd, kicking off Environmental Education Week. Explore the systems that deliver clean, safe drinking water to the Des Moines community and gain a deeper understanding of this essential resource.

👉 Register for the tour and other Environmental Education Week events: https://www.iaenvironment.org/get-involved/council-events/des-moines-water-works-tour

Calling all Environmental Advocates! 📢

It's time to celebrate the first-ever Iowa Environmental Education Week, September 23-26 with The Harkin Institute! Whether you're a seasoned advocate or just passionate about learning more, there's something for everyone.
Explore events, workshops, and discussions that will inspire and empower you to make a difference.

Let's work together to build a healthier, more sustainable Iowa! https://www.iaenvironment.org/get-involved/council-events/2024conference

🌊 Conserve Water, Protect Our Future! 🌱

Small actions like fixing leaky faucets and taking shorter showers help conserve water and reduce your bills. 🌍

Join us at the 11th Annual PRO H2O on September 26th to celebrate clean water efforts in Iowa! Enjoy an evening of networking, cocktails, and sunsets at the Iowa State Historical Building Terrace in Des Moines.

🎟️ Get your tickets today! https://www.iaenvironment.org/get-involved/council-events/2024-pro-h2o