Climate Impacts Group

Weather experts forecast spring temperatures in Lower Columbia area through Sunday

Temperatures in the Lower Columbia area through Sunday are expected to counter the six more weeks of winter predicted on Groundhog Day just last week. Research from the Climate Impacts Group is referenced.  

An unexpected item is blocking cities’ climate change prep: obsolete rainfall records

New sewers and storm drains will need to withstand rainfall that’s becoming more intense in a changing climate. But as cities make plans to tear up streets and pour cement, most have little to no information about how climate change will worsen future storms. Research from the Climate Impacts Group is referenced. 

Local artist, Climate Impacts Group collaborate to share vision for climate-resilient future

Ever wonder what a climate-resilient future might look like? How the communities, wildlife and landscapes might compare to what we see in the Pacific Northwest now?

Local artist Claire Sianna Seaman and the Climate Impacts Group are helping us envision this future with a painting depicting climate resilience in the Pacific Northwest region.

An album of pictures taken by UW Photographer Mark Stone capture the many details and scenes of the painting. To portray the project digitally, staff from the Climate Impacts Group developed a web-based story combining photos of the painting, a written statement from Claire, and audio clips from a showcase of the painting. 

Atmospheric Rivers Spur Debates on Flood Management in Washington State

After a series of storms dumped unprecedented amounts of rainfall on the northwestern corner of Washington last November, small communities in the Nooksack Valley were left severely flooded and asking questions about how to prevent flood damage in the future. Dr. Guillaume Mauger is quoted.  

Gangs Of Elk Are Feasting On Farmers’ Haystacks Across The Northwest

Gangs of wild elk are attacking farmers’ haystacks in Washington and Oregon. They’re hungry, after a long drought and record mountain snow this winter has driven animals down to the lowlands. Dr. Meade Krosby is quoted. This story also ran in Wichita Eagle and OPB.  

Op-Ed: Weather disasters can teach us how to prepare for the future

With climate change our challenge now is to reduce the impacts of flooding on our communities. We can do that by learning from these events when they happen, writes Guillaume Mauger, UW research scientist at the Climate Impacts Group in an Op-Ed. 

NOW HIRING: Two research scientists to support climate adaptation research

Note 6/21/22: The search for these positions has ended. 

The UW Climate Impacts Group is now hiring for two research scientist positions to support Climate Impacts Group’s senior researchers on climate change research and adaptation projects. We are seeking one research scientist with a focus on natural resources, and another with a focus on the social sciences.

The Research Scientist Natural Resources position will 1) work with the Climate Impacts Group’s senior scientists to conduct applied research on climate impacts and adaptation in natural resources; 2) engage with partners and decision makers on projects in all stages of the adaptation process from vulnerability assessment to planning and implementation; and 3) provide analytical, logistical and project management support for research and applications. 

Hiring: Research Scientist – Natural Resources

The UW Climate Impacts Group is hiring a new, full-time Research Scientist with a focus on natural resources. The Research Scientist will support climate impacts and adaptation research projects led by the Climate Impacts Group’s senior scientists. Focus areas may include natural hazards and ecological disturbances, landscape conservation, species and ecosystems, water resources, and sea level rise and coastal impacts.

We envision this position will: 1) work with the Climate Impacts Group’s senior scientists to conduct applied research on climate impacts and adaptation in natural resources; 2) engage with partners and decision makers on projects in all stages of the adaptation process from vulnerability assessment to planning and implementation; and 3) provide analytical, logistical, and project management support for research and applications. 

Hiring: Research Scientist – Social Sciences

The UW Climate Impacts Group is hiring a new, full-time Research Scientist with a focus on social sciences. This position will add breadth to the work we do and support the Climate Impacts Group’s senior researchers on climate change adaptation projects with our federal, tribal, state and local partners.

We envision this position will contribute to: 1) applying social science and policy research to new climate impacts/adaptation projects independently and/or with guidance; 2) working with the Climate Impacts Group’s senior research staff to identify and execute on opportunities to move projects from analysis to implementation; and 3) providing logistical, project management and research support to projects. 

New NW CASC Report Outlines Research and Coordination Needs for Managing Northwest Stream Permanence in a Changing Climate

The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center’s 2021 Deep Dive convened Northwest communities, natural resource managers and scientists to collaboratively review what is known about stream permanence and and how it affects people and places in the region: a new report, accompanied by a key findings document and a list of tools and resources – outlines results from this collaborative process, including research and capacity needs for understanding and responding to changes in stream permanence.