Climate Impacts Group

Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative Announces Community Grant Awardees

The Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative is thrilled to announce the five awardees of the Community Grants Program. Community Grants fund justice-focused, environmental and climate projects that advance community-centered resilience priorities. These one-year grants support nonprofits, community organizations and Tribes from Washington, Idaho and Oregon. 

More than 40 organizations submitted letters of intent and nearly 20 organizations were invited to submit full applications. Applications were reviewed by a group of UW faculty and community experts independent of the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative. They were evaluated based on their relevance to climate and environmental justice and impact on frontline communities. Learn more about the organizations and their projects: 

Black Star Farmers 

Location: Seattle, Wash. 

University of Washington Awarded Federal Funding to Host an Expanded Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center

The University of Washington has been awarded $7.4 million to continue hosting the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (NW CASC) for the next five years, leading a broad consortium of Northwest university and tribal partners to support natural and cultural resource managers in responding to climate risks and promoting regional resilience. The Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington has hosted the NW CASC since 2017, during which time the Center has led ambitious partnerships and programming.

“We’re excited for this opportunity to expand our partners and programs to better serve the Northwest in preparing for climate risks and building regional resilience,” says NW CASC University Director, Meade Krosby. 

Register Today for the Water Year 2023 Recap & 2024 Outlook Meeting

The 18th annual Oregon-Washington Water Year Meeting: 2023 Recap and 2024 Outlook will be held as two virtual morning meetings on Wednesday, November 1 and Thursday, November 2. 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 2023 water year. The extended summer of 2022 into fall, drought development across Washington and northwest Oregon, drought improvement over southeastern Oregon, and rapid spring snowmelt 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. 

PBS: Washington Climate Crisis

As our summers become hotter and our skies fill with wildfire smoke, Western Washington seemingly gets deeper into a climate crisis. Dr. Nick Bond was part of a panel of UW climate experts discussing climate change. “In the Hot Seat: Saving Lives from Extreme Heat in Washington State” is also referenced.  

Washington State Climatologist’s Office Joins Forces with Climate Impacts Group for Enhanced Climate Action

Following two decades of close collaboration, we are excited to announce that the Office of the Washington State Climatologist is joining the UW Climate Impacts Group. With a shared commitment to advancing climate services, this collaboration marks a significant step towards a more unified approach to addressing climate-related challenges in our state and region. 

This strategic decision brings together two leading organizations dedicated to understanding the region’s weather and its impacts on time scales of days to decades. The Office of the Washington State Climatologist has long been recognized for its expertise in interpreting and contextualizing today’s weather and climate trends within the broader context of climate change. 

Now Open! Call for Abstracts and Sessions at Virtual Northwest Climate Conference, October 2-4

Organizers of the 12th Northwest Climate Conference (NWCC) are now accepting abstract and session proposal submissions for this year’s Conference, to be hosted virtually by Boise State University on October 2-4, 2023. For more than a decade, this conference has provided a networking and learning community for practitioners, scientists, tribal members and community organizers interested in climate change impacts and adaptation in the Northwest.

SUBMIT ABSTRACT OR SESSION PROPOSAL 

Now Hiring: Climate Resilience Specialist

Now is an exciting time for climate resilience in Washington State. Action is happening at state and local levels to ensure that Washington’s people, ecosystems and economy are resilient in the face of a changing climate. This includes the recent passage of legislation to support Washington’s agencies, local jurisdictions and communities to enhance their resilience. In the 25 plus years that the Climate Impacts Group has been engaged in creating a more resilient future for the state, we have never seen as much action as we see today. If you are interested in being a part of this momentum, apply today to be a Climate Resilience Specialist with the Climate Impacts Group! 

From Hawaii to Greece, the planet is broiling from wildfires. How much is climate change to blame?

Although many factors are behind the global series of wildfires, experts say climate change is the primary cause. Drs. Crystal Raymond and Nick Bond are quoted.  

New Report Outlines How to Save Lives from Extreme Heat 

Zach Kearl describes the issue of extreme heat, how climate change is increasing the risks of extreme heat, and a new Climate Impacts Group report that aims to guide heat response efforts.  

Opinion: Extreme heat’s impact on our health demands we take action

Three local physicians who are concerned with the impacts of climate change on their patients referenced a Climate Impacts Group report in their opinion piece.