Climate Impacts Group

Now Hiring: Climate Justice Research Scientist

Are you passionate about the environment and social justice? Do you want to pursue a career centered around the theory and practice of climate justice and resilience? Are you interested in pursuing creative work that centers the needs and goals of frontline communities? If yes, apply today to be the next Climate Impacts Group Climate Justice Research Scientist!

The Climate Justice Research Scientist will support and expand our social science, policy, governance and project management capabilities across various climate change adaptation projects, with an emphasis on projects in collaboration with frontline communities. Many of these projects will be part of the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative, a NOAA-funded research program housed at the Climate Impacts Group. 

Drought planning forum explores risks, solutions for Methow Valley

The forum brought together water experts from the valley, the state, and federal agencies in early March. They explained hydrogeology and water storage, and outlined steps to preserve water for rivers and fish, residential and business use, and for agriculture. Research from the UW Climate Impacts Group is referenced.  

The Office of the Washington State Climatologist, Climate Impacts Group, and partners release 2022 PNW Water Year Impacts Assessment

The 2022 water year was characterized by abrupt transitions in weather – from an abnormally dry winter, to an abnormally wet spring, and back to an abnormally dry summer. The Climate Impacts Group, Office of the Washington State Climatologist and others developed the 2022 Pacific Northwest Water Year Impacts Assessment to summarize the water year conditions and related impacts experienced by agricultural producers, water managers, fisheries managers and other natural resource managers. Now in its third year, this year’s assessment focuses on impacts and responses to abrupt changes in conditions.

Access the Assessment

Overall, temperature averages and precipitation totals across Idaho, Oregon and Washington were close to normal during the 2022 water year. 

UW Undergrads: Join our team with a paid internship!

The Climate Impacts Group is seeking an intern to support several interrelated projects as part of the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative. The intern will join EarthLab’s Summer Internship Program, a robust, cohort-based internship program for UW undergraduate students.

The Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative Intern will help to create a month-long summer program that builds cohorts and networks of early career researchers passionate about climate justice. This program will focus on capacity-building work with programs that connect students with frontline organizations to build capacity for justice-centered climate resilience; supporting frontline organizations to build a matching program that will provide staffing support to increase capacity of organizations to self-organize on climate resilience; conducting research to understand the knowledge and practice of community-driven adaptation for frontline communities and organizations; and co-producing curriculum and workshops with student groups to aid in the development of educational modules for the summer school. 

WA House passes legislation addressing heat, utility service

The Washington State House passed a new bill aiming to protect vulnerable Washingtonians from dangerous heat waves. Now the legislation awaits Senate approval. If cemented into state law, the bill, HB 1329, would prevent utility services from shutting off residents’ power and water due to nonpayments during National Weather Service heat warnings. Research from the UW Climate Impacts Group is referenced. 

Study finds warming climate may improve North Cascades grizzly bear habitat

As climate change affects ecosystems, one species may benefit from its effects in the North Cascades. A study published Feb. 6 found that the amount of high quality habitat for grizzly bears in the North Cascades will increase across all climate models, scenarios and time periods. Dr. Meade Krosby is quoted. 

New Climate Mapping Tool is a go-to resource for Washington climate projections

Local and state agencies in Washington state need localized and accessible information on climate change to help prepare their communities for climate related impacts. Climate Mapping for a Resilient Washington aims to meet this need as a go-to resource for understanding projected changes in climate across the state. The web tool, released in January, was funded by the Washington State Legislature and developed by the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group with assistance from University of Idaho Research Data & Computing Services and input from state and local governments.

Climate Mapping for a Resilient Washington will be included in comprehensive planning guidance from the Washington Department of Commerce, which Commerce is developing in partnership with other state agencies. 

Study: North Cascades grizzlies could gain more habitat as the climate warms

Grizzly bears in Washington’s North Cascades could gain habitat as the climate warms, according to a study that looked at how climate change could affect the reintroduction of grizzly bears. Dr. Meade Krosby is quoted. This story aired on KUOW and Oregon Public Broadcasting.  

Washington State Climate Scientists say Wildlife Crossings Crucial as Climate Changes

Wildlife crossings could be a path to a future where the climate has significantly changed the planet. Wildlife and climate experts are urging policymakers to plan for what they call “climate-informed” crossings. Dr. Meade Krosby is quoted in this article from Big Country News. 

A New Climate Planning Tool for Local Governments

The Climate Impacts Group has created a publicly available web application to help local jurisdictions navigate the large volume of climate information available for Washington and apply it in their climate resilience planning. Research Scientist Matt Rogers explains what the tool is and how it can be used in this blog post published by the Municipal Research and Services Center.