Climate Impacts Group

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. 

It was a classic day for a hike in WA’s Cascades. Then the fire came

With hotter, drier summers fueled by human-caused climate change coupled with more than a century of fire suppression, Washington and the rest of the Western U.S. will likely see more fire each year. The hikers’ story illustrates the heightened risks people can face on mountains shaped by fire. Washington State Climatologist Guillaume Mauger and former CIG researcher  Crystal Raymond are quoted.  

As drought drags on, some water users are cut off

Although the Methow basin has been in drought for more than a year, for most people, the official drought declaration doesn’t impose any conservation measures. But 98 water users haven’t been able to water their fields since July 22 because the Methow River has been below the minimum flows. Washington State Deputy Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted.  

Washington water supply update

The drought declared April 16 is still in effect. While there was hope for some relief in the fall, it’s looking like the anticipated La Niña conditions will be later and weaker than initially hoped according to experts who met July 24 for Ecology’s monthly Water Supply Availability Committee (WSAC) meeting. The Office of the Washington State Climatologist is referenced.  

What to know about Washington wildfires and smoke in Seattle

Click the link below to learn where the fires are burning, and what it means for travel, hiking and Seattle’s air quality. Emeritus Washington state climatologist Nick Bond is quoted. 

Welcoming Lisa Colligan

We are excited to welcome Lisa Colligan to the UW Climate Impacts Group team! Lisa is joining us as the program coordinator with the Climate Impacts Group and the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative.

Lisa has dedicated her career to exploring how proper land management can help us repair environmental and social damage. Lisa’s experience includes nonprofit management, program coordination, conservation and farming. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geology in 2019 from Beloit College.

Lisa will be supporting logistics, coordination and internal communications for the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative and the Climate Impacts Group. In the next few months, Lisa will work to relaunch the NCRC Bulletin, help to plan the fall 2024 all-hands meeting in Spokane, and support a number of other CIG and NCRC projects. 

Life and death in the heat. What it feels like when Earth’s temperatures soar to record highs

As the warming Earth sizzled through a week with four of the hottest days ever measured, the world focused on cold, hard numbers that showed the average daily temperature for the entire planet. People from around the globe describe what record-setting heat actually feels like. Washington State Deputy Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted. 

Drought Status Update for the Pacific Northwest

Drought and it’s impacts define summer in the Pacific Northwest. This report summarizes current conditions, outlook, and takeaways regarding snowpack, heat, and drought throughout the summer in the Pacific Northwest. Washington State Deputy Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is a co-author.  

Grad student field trip to La Conner

Seattle-area graduate students took a field trip to La Conner and the Swinomish Reservation [on July 17] and afterward gave the Swinomish Tribe high marks for its focus on environmental protection. CIG scientist Rishi Sugla is mentioned.