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In this summer's early-season heatwave, record-setting temperatures affected over 100 million people across 726 counties from June 22-25. |
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A derecho hit eastern Iowa July 28-29, 2025, with wind gusts of over 80 mph. |
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Over 3,000 flash flood warnings have been issued nationwide since January 2025, the highest year-to-date total since tracking began in 1986. |
 When emergencies happen, be the first to know. Johnson County will use Alert Iowa to send official, real-time alerts to the public with information about potentially life-saving action. You can sign up online at alert.iowa.gov, send a text to 672-83 with JOHNSONIA, or download the Smart911 App. Find more information at the Alert Iowa website.
 With many tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act now set to end this year, the best way to make use of them is to know what is still eligible, when the credit expires, and align purchases with the top priorities for your household.
Electric Vehicles: New EV, up to $7,500, and used EV, up to $4,000, if purchased by Sept. 30, 2025.
Home EV charger: Level 2 charger up to $1,000 (with additional eligibility requirements), electrical panel upgrade (at the time of EV charger installation), up to $600, if purchased by Dec. 31, 2025.
Household appliances: Heat pump, up to $2,000, heat pump water heater, up to $2,000, weatherization and insulation, up to $1,200, if installed by Dec. 31, 2025. (Each household is allowed a maximum of $2,000 per year for appliances, so it will be important to prioritize which appliance you most want.)
Solar, battery storage, and geothermal systems: 30% of qualifying costs if installed by Dec. 31, 2025.
 Visit icgov.org/root4trees to apply for a Root for Trees voucher that can reduce the cost to purchase a tree from a participating local nursery.
Through the Root for Trees program, Iowa City residents and businesses receive 50% off the cost of the retail purchase price of one tree, up to $125 (a $250 tree). Vouchers for an additional discount off retail price are available for income-eligible households, up to $225 (a $250 tree).
To qualify, eligible trees must have a mature height minimum of eight feet and cannot be a species of maple or pear tree.
The program runs to May 2026, while funding and supplies last.
Do you have any art, craft, or school supplies to be rehomed? The City has partnered with Dreamwell Theatre to host Art and Craft Supply Pop Up events at the Eastside Recycling Center. Johnson County community members and local organizations can donate quality, new, or gently-used items they no longer need August 7 and 8 and take their pick of donated items August 9 and 10 at items at no cost! Find event times and accepted items at icgov.org/reduce.
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 Mark your calendar for Iowa City's sixth annual Climate Fest, Sept. 19-25, 2025, featuring an airport solar art show and tours, film screenings, a pop-up pocket park and more! Look for details in the September newsletter or at icgov.org/ClimateFest.
EV drivers are needed! Bring your vehicle to be part of the EV Car Show on Saturday, Sept. 20 and help inspire others to drive electric. Please sign up on this registration link.
 Over 15,000 pounds of recyclable or usable goods were saved from the landfill at the Donation Drive-Thru event on July 20. This total included 198.5 pounds of batteries and 85 pounds of light bulbs (recycled), 2,170 pounds of books and 1,815 pounds of mattresses and box springs (recycled and donated).
In addition, the donations to local nonprofits included 3,640 pounds of furniture, 2,501 pounds of household and kitchen items, 2,865 pounds of clothing, shoes, purses, and linens, plus over 1,600 pounds of food, toiletry items, art and craft supplies, and school supplies!
Thank you to all who helped collect items, stopped by with donations, and spread the word!
 Natalie Tapscott
Iowa City Climate Ambassador
 How do you take climate action?
I try to reduce the environmental impact of my consumption habits by shopping second-hand and shopping locally, but only when I really need something! I find a lot of joy in keeping perfectly good clothes and household items out of the landfill, and I enjoy the hunt of finding exactly the thing that I need!
Through my service term with Green Iowa AmeriCorps and Table to Table, I have gotten so much better at reducing my household food waste through freezing food before it goes bad, utilizing all of my leftovers, and composting. I have enjoyed educating and connecting with like-minded people over the climatic impacts of food waste and advocacy for a more just food system.
Why is it important to take climate action?
Climate action is important to me because I enjoy biking, camping, running, swimming, hiking, and playing outside! Clean air to breathe, clean water to recreate in, and green spaces to play in should be a human right and accessible to everyone in our community. Taking climate action is important so that we can all continue to enjoy the outdoors together.
What can others do to take climate action?
Climate scientist Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson has this great Venn diagram exercise for finding each of our specific climate actions by looking at what brings you joy, what you are good at, and what work needs done. I encourage everyone to do this exercise (but then take action!) because it makes climate action feel specialized and tangible!
Iowa City’s Climate Action Commission meets monthly
Access upcoming and past meeting packets at the Climate Action Commission web page.
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