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Climate change is turning up the heat, and our homes aren't ready

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Talk of Iowa, hosted by Charity Nebbe

It was hot this summer — at times it was dangerously hot. With the climate changing, stretches of extreme heat are increasingly likely in the future. Climatologists say Midwesterners will be facing an increase in hazardous heat waves in the future, and many of our homes are not ready for this kind of heat. On this episode of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe and experts explore the threat that extreme heat poses and discuss how we can build and plan for a hotter future.

Holly Edgell of the Midwest Newsroom offers an overview of the problem we’re facing and why most of our homes, even homes that are recently built, are not ready for the heat. Iowa’s State Climatologist Justin Glisan discusses weather projections for the years to come. Kevin Nordmeyer, an architect who specializes in sustainable design, discusses how individuals and communities can prepare for severe heat. And environmental health expert Peter Thorne joins the program to discuss how these challenges will affect us all going forward.

Guests:

  • Justin Glisan, State Climatologist of Iowa
  • Kevin Nordmeyer, architect specializing in sustainable design
  • Peter Thorne, distinguished chair and professor, University of Iowa Department of Occupational and Environmental Health
Caitlin Troutman is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from William Jewell College. Since 2022, Troutman has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.
Charity Nebbe is IPR's 'Talk of Iowa' host. She also hosts IPR's podcasts 'Garden Variety' and 'Unsettled'. Since 2010, Nebbe has interviewed, conversed with, and shared ideas from guests of all backgrounds and locations, and has helped listeners better understand, appreciate, and explore their state and the world around them. Nebbe has a bachelors degree from Iowa State University.