Climate Impacts Group

How climate change ‘loads the dice’ for heat waves

This week’s sizzling temperatures may herald a climate reality that scientists thought was still decades in the future. Senior Scientist Dr. Meade Krosby is quoted. This story also ran in CleanTechnica.  

Bigger and worse wildfires? UW fire experts weigh in

Heading into the 2021 fire season, two big questions loom in everyone’s minds, so we checked in with some fire experts at UW Environment to ask: Are fires getting worse over time? If so, what compounding factors are in place? Dr. Crystal Raymond is quoted.  

Carbon in Earth’s atmosphere reaches highest mark in modern history, scientists say

Despite a significant drop in people driving and flying early in the pandemic, the amount of carbon in the Earth’s atmosphere is higher before than ever in modern history. Dr. Amy Snover and Deputy Director Dr. Jason Vogel are quoted. 

I want to fly to Hawaii, but I don’t want to wreck the planet. With carbon offsets, can I do both?

CIG Director Dr. Amy Snover is among six experts in climate change, sustainability and green technology interviewed about carbon offsets.  

Forest fires impact on water quality

Day two of the National Academies of Sciences discussions focused on how climate change, notably forest fires, could affect the water quality of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Research Scientist Dr. Guillaume Mauger is quoted.  

Surging snowpack can have positive impact on salmon, slow start to wildfire season

Powerful winter storms this season have made for terrible pass travel and avalanche danger. However, scientists say this surging snowpack will do wonders for our environment. Dr. Crystal Raymond, climate adaptation specialist, is quoted. 

For Tribes, Climate Change Fight is About Saving Culture

As climate change threatens salmon populations and other natural resources, the Tulalip Tribes are expanding efforts to protect land and water that are integral to their identity. Senior Scientist Meade Krosby is quoted.

CIG Project Finalist for International Competition Honoring Science Breakthroughs

A project led by Dr. Heidi Roop, formerly the strategic communications lead at the Climate Impacts Group and now assistant professor of climate science at the University of Minnesota, is a finalist for Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year. The project combines data visualizations and virtual reality to illustrate the impacts of sea level rise in South Seattle. Heidi started the project, which was funded by an EarthLab Innovation Grant, while working for the Climate Impacts Group.

As a finalist for “Falling Walls,” Heidi created a five-minute video describing her project and its impact. The video features Heidi responding to prompts ranging from: “Introduce your science engagement initiative in one sentence” and “How does society benefit from your initiative?” to “What did you want to become as a child?” The video guest stars Heidi’s eight-month-old daughter. 

Washington Commissioner’s Climate Summit Highlighted Area, Global Vulnerabilities

“The insurance buying public wants to know that insurance is going to be available and affordable to them when they need it.” That was the take-home message from Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, who hosted a half-day virtual summit on climate change on Wednesday. Dr. Amy Snover, who spoke at the summit, is quoted.  

Healthy Planet, Healthy People

Five experts in climate science and low-carbon infrastructure at the University of Washington wrote about how we can recover from a climate crisis during a health crisis. Amy Snover is one of the five featured experts. 

“Rebuilding our collective lives post-pandemic requires attending to all of the intertwined systems that we depend on. Responses to COVID-19 must incorporate solutions for climate change and racial justice. Recovery investments must accelerate decarbonization, not pause it — and advance preparation for rising climate stresses, not punt on it. In a world of compound risks, we must insist on compound solutions. We don’t have enough time, money or planet to do it any other way.” – Amy Snover