Climate Impacts Group

Seeking Postdoc Focused on Climate and the Future of Aquatic Flows

Are you a researcher interested in the nexus of climate change and aquatic flows? The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, in partnership with Boise State University, is searching for a postdoctoral scholar with a passion for developing science that meets real-world needs to lead regionally-focused research related to modeling aquatic flows under climate change.

The postdoctoral scholar will join a national cohort as part of the National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Center’s Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral (CAP) Fellows Program. In addition to leading regional research, the Climate Adaptation postdoctoral scholar will collaborate with other Climate Adaptation scholars from across the country on national-scale research and synthesis on climate-aquatic flows issues and how this information can be integrated into aquatic ecosystem management. 

CIG study investigates influence of federal policy on local climate action

Dr. Jason Vogel, interim director of the Climate Impacts Group, is co-author on a recently published article in Sustainability on the influence of federal policy on local climate adaptation efforts. 

The article, Climate Adaptation at the Local Scale: Using Federal Climate Adaptation Policy Regimes to Enhance Climate Services, was published earlier this month in a special edition of Sustainability focused on climate services. 

Vogel and his co-author, Charles Herrick, reviewed 17 case studies of local climate adaptation efforts for the role of federal law, policy and programs, the organizations and agencies involved, and the use of science. 

They found in many cases, federal laws and policies provide a framework for local policy as well as “technical and fiscal resources beyond what any individual locality could muster on its own.” An overlooked element of the climate adaptation landscape, they write, is the role of federal policy as a “bottom-up” approach to local climate action, as local governments take advantage of policy tools to achieve their own resilience objectives.  

AP News: From dry to deluge, how heavy snow, rain flooded Yellowstone

In Yellowstone, rivers and creeks this week raged with water much higher and faster than even the rare benchmark 500 year flood. Weather-whiplashed residents and government officials raced to save homes, roads and businesses. Guillaume Mauger is quoted. This article was picked up by five different news outlets.  

We’re Hiring! Leadership Positions at CIG and NW Climate Adaptation Science Center

Do you want to help lead climate adaptation research across the Northwest? The UW Climate Impacts Group and the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center are hiring! The Climate Impacts Group is seeking a Director and the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center is seeking a Deputy University Director. In case you missed it, Amy Snover has retired after more than 20 years with our team. Learn more about each opportunity below.

CIG DIRECTOR NW CASC DEPUTY UNIVERSITY DIRECTOR

The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center is hosted by the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group. Both are EarthLab member organizations.  

Testing a new time-traveling VR experience that explores sea level rise in Seattle

The Seattle Public Library and the University of Washington have created a virtual reality experience for teens and families that explores climate change and its impacts on sea level rise in Seattle’s industrialized Duwamish River and South Park neighborhood.

Former CIG Researcher Heidi Roop is quoted. A story about this project was also recently published in UW News.

“VR allows us to give people an experience that we couldn’t otherwise give since we’re looking toward the future.”
– Heidi Roop 

The NW CASC is Hiring a Deputy University Director

The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, a program of the Climate Impacts Group, is hiring a Deputy University Director to play a leading role in their efforts to foster actionable adaptation science across the Northwest. 

The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center is a federal-university partnership that produces accessible science on climate change impacts and adaptation actions for Northwest natural resource managers and decision makers. The NW CASC is hosted by the Climate Impacts Group on behalf of a multi-university consortium that includes Boise State University, University of Montana, Oregon State University, Washington State University and Western Washington University. Both the NW CASC and the Climate Impacts Group are member organizations of UW EarthLab. 

Q&A: Amy Snover, outgoing director of the UW Climate Impacts Group

Dr. Amy Snover recently sat down with UW News to reflect on her 20+ years at the group, what she’s most proud of, and share her thoughts on overcoming hopelessness in the face of climate change. 

Read the Q&A. 

Amy’s last day with the Climate Impacts Group is Wednesday, June 15, 2022. She is retiring to spend more time with her husband, Chip. Learn more about Amy’s next chapter.

“No matter what you do, or what your skills are, you can have a role in shaping that future and thinking about how we prepare for and reduce climate change. 

How are Washington’s parks feeling the effects of climate change?

KUOW Soundside producer Noel Gasca talked to Marty Stump, chief planning officer for Metro Parks Tacoma, about how the agency is planning to create a more climate-resilient Point Defiance. Later, Soundside host Libby Denkmann talks to Lisa Lantz, parks stewardship manager for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, about the ways climate change has already altered how we interact with nature. CIG’s partnership with State Parks to develop the Washington State Parks Climate Vulnerability Assessment is referenced.  

CIG Director Amy Snover recognized in King County Proclamation and letter from WA Governor Inslee

As Amy’s time with the UW Climate Impacts Group and NW CASC draws to a close, colleagues and leaders from across the Northwest have expressed the profound impact that Amy has had on helping the Northwest prepare for the impacts of climate change. In a recent retirement celebration held at the UW Arboretum, many shared their experiences working with Amy and how her dedication, humility and vision have influenced their work and touched their lives.

The celebration was made even more special by recognition from King County and Washington Governor Jay Inslee. King County published a proclamation that June 7, 2022 was officially Amy Snover Day in King County. 

Preparations underway for Washington’s fire season

The Washington Department of Natural Resources expects a more “normal” season than last year but is still readying additional resources. CIG Scientist Dr. Crystal Raymond is quoted.