Peter Thorne, distinguished chair and professor, University of Iowa Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, was recently interviewed about about the threats extreme heat poses to the Midwest.

The future of the Midwest includes hazardous heat, and most of our homes are not ready (KCUR)

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska are part of an emerging “extreme heat belt” that could deliver more scorching days within 30 years. Such heat can be deadly, said Peter Thorne, an expert on the impact of climate change on health at the University of Iowa. “People have different susceptibility to heat,” said Thorne, whose Thorne Lab conducts advanced environmental health sciences research. “Heat stroke, for example, kills more people every year than does air pollution-induced asthma in the U.S. or other respiratory effects of climate change.”

Climate change is turning up the heat, and our homes aren’t ready (Iowa Public Radio)

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. Environmental health expert Peter Thorne joins the program to discuss how these challenges will affect us all going forward.