Climate Impacts Group

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. 

NW CASC seeks research fellowship program proposals

The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center invites proposals for its 2023-2024 Research Fellowship Program from graduate students at University of Washington, Boise State University, Oregon State University, University of Montana, Washington State University and Western Washington University and from postdoctoral scholars at Boise State University, Oregon State University, University of Montana, Washington State University and Western Washington University (this fellowship cannot support postdocs at the University of Washington).

The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center’s Research Fellowship Program supports research related to climate adaptation for Northwest natural and cultural resource management and provides training in the principles and practices of developing decision-relevant science. 

Register today for Resilience Collaborative Community Grants Program informational webinar

The Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative invites you to register for our Community Grants Program informational webinar! The webinar will be held virtually on Friday, January 20, from noon-1 p.m. PT. Registration is required.  We will briefly discuss the objectives of the Community Grants Program, outline the steps to complete an application and provide a time for questions.

REGISTER

The Community Grants Program, now in its first year, supports justice-focused, environmental and climate projects that advance community-centered resilience priorities. Grants range from $5,000-$50,000.  Nonprofits, community organizations and Tribes in Washington, Idaho and Oregon that serve frontline communities are eligible to apply. 

CIG scientists publish paper on extreme heat and response options

Heat waves are becoming more common and intense in Washington state and beyond as a result of climate change, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses and death. Climate Impacts Group researchers Zach Kearl and Jason Vogel studied the impacts of extreme heat on public health in urban and suburban areas of Washington state. Their resulting paper, Urban extreme heat, climate change, and saving lives: Lessons from Washington state, was recently published in Urban Climate. The paper examines the key factors conditioning public health impacts of extreme heat and a suite of policy options in Washington state.

Kearl and Vogel found extreme heat affects subpopulations differently because of various contextual factors and social determinants of health; this suggests a wide range of policy alternatives is necessary to meaningfully improve health outcomes community wide. 

What to know about king tides in Puget Sound and why they happen

Heavy rains and a king tide brought the worst flooding that Seattle’s South Park neighborhood has seen in years, leaving at least 13 homes flooded Tuesday. Science from the Climate Impacts Group is referenced.