Sanders in Iowa

Threats from climate change play into politics here, too, as Democratic candidates canvass the state ahead of the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) raised the issue at a rally in Mason City, about 4 ½ hours’ drive northeast, on Saturday — although he cited drought, not floods, as the long-term problem.

“I’m not here to alarm you,” Sanders said before describing the impact on agriculture. “When we talk about drought, please understand that in Iowa and in other states around the country, great agricultural states, the planting season will be shorter because of extreme weather and because of drought. The quality and quantity of food produced will deteriorate because of shorter growing seasons.”