Climate Impacts Group

State, Federal Officials Work to Measure Progress in Fight to Limit Climate Impacts

States and federal agencies are dedicating more staff, time, and resources than ever to help prepare communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems for a more extreme climate. With this encouraging activity comes a need to measure the progress and impact of resilience initiatives to determine which have proved successful—and which are falling short—and to use that information to direct future funding and revise efforts as needed.  Carlie Stowe is mentioned.  

Report outlines struggles, successes Pacific Northwest coastal tribes face in adapting to climate change

Coastal tribes in the Pacific Northwest are set to face some of the most dramatic effects of climate change in the region, from rising seas to more severe storms. The University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group and the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians conducted a series of listening sessions with leaders and citizens of 13 coastal tribes to hear how they were responding to climate challenges. NW CASC University Director and CIG Senior Scientist Meade Krosby is quoted.  

WA finally catches a (small) break from drought conditions

Washington’s drought status explained, as of early September. Karin Bumbaco is quoted. 

‘Wimpy’ winter ahead for Pacific Northwest despite La Niña prediction, climatologist says

La Niña conditions are expected in the Pacific Northwest this winter, which usually bring colder, wetter weather to the region. After a dry summer — and a below-average snowpack accumulated last winter — we could use the moisture. Emeritus Washington State Climatologist Nick Bond is quoted, and says this year’s La Niña will likely be weaker than previously expected.  

Late-summer heat wave bakes Western Washington — but not for long

Recap of summer heat, fire, and dry conditions, with expectations for fall weather. Bond is quoted.  

Trying to escape sea-level rise, Northwest coastal tribes are drowning in paperwork

Coastal tribal communities in the Lower 48 live on the frontlines of climate adaptation, with some facing the daunting challenge of relocating altogether to safer inland places as sea levels rise. Between November 2022 and August 2023, a researcher from the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) and one from the University of Washington conducted listening sessions with tribal leaders, citizens and employees from 13 Northwest coastal tribes, posing questions about the status of climate adaptation plans and the greatest obstacles the tribes are facing.

The listening sessions resulted in a report called Climate Adaptation Barriers and Needs Experienced by Northwest Coastal Tribes, which was released this month.  

Washington’s fall could be wetter than normal, NOAA predicts

A precipitation outlook released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center on Aug. 15 predicts above-normal rainfall across the Pacific Northwest in September, October and November. Washington State Deputy Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted. 

Report finds barriers for NW coastal tribes responding to climate change

Coastal tribes in the Northwest are on the front lines of the changing climate but face barriers to responding to its effects. A new report collected testimony directly from tribal members to hear what their biggest hurdles are. Dr. Meade Krosby is quoted.  

Climate change is already reshaping PNW shorelines. Tribal nations are showing how to adapt

Tribal nations along the coasts of Washington and Oregon are navigating impacts ranging from ocean warming and acidification, which threaten culturally and economically important fisheries, to increased coastal flooding and erosion from sea level rise and storm surges. The work at Tulalip illustrates how tribal nations are leading regional efforts to complete a challenging task: overcoming the worst effects of human-caused climate change.  Dr. Meade Krosby is quoted.  

Pacific Northwest tribes are battered by climate change but fight to get money meant to help them

A report led by the University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, and Washington Sea Grant compiles the experiences of Washington and Oregon coastal Tribes as they prepare for climate change. This report was funded by the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative, a NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnership program.