Forbes Exemplifies Energy Conservation

When John Forbes became a state lawmaker, he never anticipated that he would become an evangelist for reducing energy usage and combating climate change. “When I became involved with energy conservation at the state level, I realized I needed to practice what I preached.”

Forbes would soon invest in energy-saving technology for his home to reduce energy costs and carbon footprint. He replaced his gas-powered vehicles with a fully electric Tesla and a gas/electric hybrid Lexus. He installed geothermal heat pumps, energy-efficient windows, and low-energy lighting at his home in Urbandale, reducing energy costs by 30-40% per month.

When Forbes began constructing a new building for his Medicap pharmacy in Urbandale in 2014, he felt it was also essential to include greenhouse gas reduction technology, including solar panels and geothermal technology, which again recouped significant energy savings by covering 85% of his business’s power needs. He says those additions made the property more attractive to buyers when he sold the company a decade later.

The proceeds from that sale were, in turn, invested in solar technology for an Iowa distillery, which still provides him with a healthy return on his investment each month.

The devastation created by the rapid expansion of climate change in Iowa and across the globe has been alarming to young adults. An international study of 10,000 young people found that 84% were moderately to apprehensive about climate change, with over 60% feeling sad, afraid, and anxious. Many reported that they would forgo having children and worried about their physical and financial health.

In 2024, 185 scientists from 32 universities and colleges in Iowa published their 14th annual Iowa Climate Statement (https://ehsrc.public-health.uiowa.edu/iowa-climate-statements/), recommending that engaging with others and acting on climate change can help young people address concerns about the issue.

David Osterberg, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Occupational and Emotional Health at the University of Iowa and one of the signers of the climate statement says, “We need to show these students that climate change is not something only those in California and Massachusetts care about but there are people they know in Iowa who are trying to make a difference.”

Actions young people can take include purchasing energy-efficient appliances and vehicles, installing solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal heat pumps. However, Osterberg said the most prominent difference individuals can make is connecting with like-minded people to support local climate change initiatives, policies, and laws. Osterberg recommends that “Instead of being anxious, Iowans should just do something” as a means of overcoming hopelessness.

Wayne Bruns is an Urbandale resident and a volunteer with Sustainable Urbandale. This article was previously published in Urbandale Living: https://www.iowalivingmagazines.com/urbandale-archives