Climate Impacts Group

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. 

UW Climate Impacts Group is hiring a director to lead new strategic plan

The Climate Impacts Group is hiring a director to lead, support and plan the activities of our group. Our director will: 1) provide strategic leadership for the organization; 2) drive fundraising and financial stewardship; 3) build relationships and maintain an engagement plan focused on enhancing impact; and 4) provide internal management by promoting a positive work culture and supervising and mentoring key staff members. 

The Climate Impacts Group recently completed a 2024-2029 strategic plan, which was co-created through extensive collaboration, input and feedback among all CIG staff and informed with detailed input and feedback from many of our external partners. 

CIG and Sea Grant receive federal funding to build capacity in Washington coastal Tribes and communities to address hazards due to climate change

Coastal Tribes and communities in Washington are on the front lines of climate change. Many are already grappling with associated coastal hazards, including sea level rise and flooding. However, all too often, these communities lack the capacity to adequately address the increasing climate risks that they face.

Washington Sea Grant (WSG) and the Climate Impacts Group (CIG) — both based at the University of Washington College of the Environment — collectively received $8.1 million in federal funding to strengthen local capacity in responding to climate hazards on the Washington coast. The partners will do this through implementing a new Resilience Fellowship and training programs, a small grants program for coastal Tribes in Washington, and coordinating partnerships to ensure that lessons learned translate into actionable knowledge. 

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. 

Register Today for Water Year 2024 Recap & 2025 Outlook Meeting

The 19th annual Oregon-Washington Water Year Meeting: 2024 Recap and 2025 Outlook will be held as two virtual morning meetings. There is no cost to attend but you are required to register. 

The goal of this meeting is to share and gather information regarding climate impacts of the 2024 water year. The warmer than normal winter, lack of Washington snowpack and subsequent drought development, the changing drought conditions in Oregon, and the hot July will be topics of discussion. This meeting will also offer the opportunity to learn from others about mitigation actions that were taken through group discussion. Forecast experts will provide expectations for 2025, including discussion of what the switch to La Niña in the tropical Pacific means for the region.  

Report describes the barriers Pacific Northwest coastal Tribes face in adapting to climate change

Among the many effects of human-driven climate change is rising seas. Warmer water takes up more space, and melting or receding polar ice sheets add water to the oceans. Meanwhile, a warmer atmosphere also leads to more destructive coastal storms. Communities worldwide are adapting by moving away from vulnerable shores.

Many Tribes in Washington and Oregon call coastal areas home, meaning they are especially affected by climate change. They also face changes in wildfire risk and in changes to fisheries that are economically and culturally important.

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. 

New report from Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative shares both barriers and paths to climate resilience for Northwest Coastal Tribes

Along the Washington and Oregon coasts, rising sea levels and changes in ocean chemistry are combining with increasing river floods and other land-based impacts of climate change. These changes hold serious consequences for coastal communities, aquatic ecosystems, fisheries and infrastructure. 

The Tribal Coastal Resilience Portfolio of the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative conducted an assessment over two years to better understand the state of climate adaptation among Northwest coastal Tribes, and to elevate Tribes’ experience of key barriers and needs which, if addressed, could help advance Tribal resilience.

The assessment was informed by a review of Tribal climate documents and other relevant reports, as well as a series of listening sessions with Tribal staff, citizens and elected officials.