Climate Impacts Group

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.  

Beat the heat: how do we do it?

New recommendations for preventing heat-related illness during extreme summer weather have been drawn up in a collaborative report from the University of Washington Center for Health and the Global Environment (CHanGE) and the Climate Impacts Group (CIG). 

NW drinking water concerns could get worse as the climate changes 

Thunderstorms high in the Cascades recently stirred up a lot of dirt in a central Washington river, causing problems for people on its banks. All the dirt in the Naches River was too much for the City of Yakima’s water treatment plant to handle. Desert cities and towns could see situations like this happen more often as the climate continues to change. Climate Impacts Group research is referenced.  

Lessons learned from the Pacific Northwest’s 2021 Heat Dome

Two years after the deadliest weather-related disaster in Washington state history, public officials are taking stock. A new report from two groups of researchers at the University of Washington looks back at that event and provides strategies to prevent heat deaths and suffering in the future. Dr. Jason Vogel is quoted.  

Opinion: How we can better protect all residents during WA’s next heat wave

Drs. Jason Vogel and Jeremy Hess write about the recent report, “In the Hot Seat: Saving Lives from Extreme Heat in Washington State,” for the Seattle Times. “We clearly need to prepare for extreme heat going forward. If we do not take the lessons of 2021 to heart, the consequences will be predictable and devastating. We have been warned.”