Climate Impacts Group

New video about the Washington’s ClimeTime initiative features CIG scientist

CIG’s Lead Scientist for Science Communication, Heidi Roop, was featured in a new video about Washington State’s ClimeTime effort which aims to bring climate science to every K-12 classroom in Washington state. CIG partnered with the non-profit, Washington Green Schools, to deliver STEM seminars to over 250 teachers between August 2018 and June 2019. Each seminar explored different climate impacts, worked with teachers to help them understand and interpret regionally-relevant climate data and emphasized how schools and students can engage in meaningful climate solutions. With continued funding from Washington State, the effort will continue over the next two years.

Teaching the teachers how to teach kids about climate science

CIG’s Heidi Roop was featured in the Seattle Times for her work sharing regional climate science with classrooms across Washington state as part of CIG’s partnership with WA Green Schools on Washington’s innovative ClimeTime program. The program is implemented by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and includes Washington Green Schools, the University of Washington and the State Board of Education, among others. 

Tribes are harnessing cutting-edge data to adapt to the climate crisis

An article in Indian Country Today profiles the Climate Impacts Group’s new Tribal Vulnerability Assessment Resources and includes comment by project PI, Meade Krosby. 

How $6.2 million could be used to help fish, protect Whatcom communities from floods

A $6.2 million infusion of state dollars will allow Whatcom County to move forward on a project to improve habitat in the Nooksack River as well as protect farms and communities from floodwaters. Science produced by the Climate Impacts Group, which is featured in this story, provides the important scientific underpinning for project like these that are working to increase resilience to climate change across Washington state. 

Is Hiking With Face Masks The New Normal?

People move to the Pacific Northwest to be near incredible natural beauty. But each year, wildfires and rising temperatures are making it harder to go outside. CIG’s climate research is mentioned in this article, along with quotes from Director Amy Snover. 

WA is already burning and that could mean another smoky summer

CIG scientist, Crystal Raymond, spoke to Crosscut about what we know about the connection between wildfires and climate change in Washington state. 

How Tribes Are Harnessing Cutting-Edge Data to Plan for Climate Change

Our recent Tribal Vulnerability Assessment Resources were written about in an excellent piece in YES! Magazine. This project was led by Meade Krosby.

“Resources developed by the Climate Impacts Group at University of Washington for tribes in the Pacific Northwest and Oregon, Nevada, and Utah’s Great Basin may prove useful to tribes like the Quinault and the Makah. The collection of resources is designed for the 84 tribes in those regions in their various stages of the climate preparation process. The package will help tribes evaluate impacts, conduct vulnerability assessments, perform adaptation and economic planning, and locate financial resources.” 

CIG science featured on KING5: Scientists track wildlife escape routes

Recent research by CIG Senior Scientist, Meade Krosby, was featured on KING5. As part of CIG’s partnership with LightHawk, we were able to take reporter Alison Morrow into the air to see riparian corridors extending from the Puget Sound to the Cascade mountains, helping to visualize how these section of riverside habitat will be one important feature that helps species move across the landscape as the climate warms.

INSIGHTS: Giving Science a Voice in Public Policy

CIG Senior Scientist, Meade Krosby, was featured in an op-ed by COMPASS about her role in communicating science to the public. As a Wilburforce Fellow in Conservation Science, she was trained by COMPASS and now is an active scientist communicator!

Here is the section from the story that features Meade:

“Scientists’ insights can create other kinds of challenges. Those who study the effects of climate change, for example, can grapple with depression as they witness impacts to species and the places they love. The moral support they get and give to each other helps them move from despair to action. During a rough week in climate news last fall, Meade Krosby, a Senior Scientist with the Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington, wrote an opinion piece from her perspective as a climate adaptation scientist after learning and practicing this skill in a science communication workshop. 

Fires, Floods, Destruction: Washington Copes With Worsening Climate Change

CIG researcher, Guillaume Mauger, is featured in this comprehensive article outlining what climate change means for the Pacific Northwest.