Climate Impacts Group

Climate change reaps another victim: Mount Rainier’s snowpack

Snow on Mount Rainier is melting earlier and in greater quantities as temperatures rise. Guillaume Mauger is quoted.  

What drives big wildfires in western Washington? This meteorological phenomenon is a factor

Western Washington doesn’t always get strong east winds, but when the winds do arrive, they can lead to huge wildfires. This story references research funded by the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center.  

UW CIG Hiring for Two Climate Justice-Focused Positions

The UW Climate Impacts Group is now hiring for two positions focusing on climate justice and working alongside frontline communities. These positions will help to lead, launch and sustain a new climate justice-focused collaborative at the Climate Impacts Group.

The Frontline Community Climate Resilience Scientist will have a unique opportunity to advance the theory and practice of climate services provision to frontline communities while working collaboratively with Native American tribes, rural communities and communities of color. This position will involve leading and supporting research projects in climate resilience and climate justice; participating in strategic planning; coordinating and communicating across leadership and our partner organizations; among other responsibilities. 

UN climate report: Human activity is driving climate change. Where does that leave Washington?

The UN-appointed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Sixth Assessment Report, known as the AR6 WG1, on August 9, 2021. It addresses the current state of the global climate, how climate change is shifting, how humans are the leading cause, and possible climate futures. Matt Rogers is quoted.

“In my research I have seen a lot of people on the ground in Washington state take climate change into consideration and how they prepare their communities for upcoming changes and what we can expect as climate changes. It is really heartening. We can always do more, and there are people working on it, but it’s going to take all of us.” – Matt Rogers 

Now Hiring: Climate Justice Research Program Integration Specialist

The UW Climate Impacts Group is hiring a new, full-time Climate Justice Research Program Integration Specialist to help launch and sustain our climate justice-focused research collaborative. To skip straight to the full job description, click here.

The Program Integration Specialist will act as the primary point of contact between our partner organizations, which include community-facing partners, non-profits and academic researchers across Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The Integration Specialist will work closely with the Frontline Community Climate Resilience Scientist – a new position that is also accepting applications.

The Specialist will contribute to the success of all aspects of the CIG’s flagship climate justice research program. 

‘Every part of a degree of warming that we can avert will make the future better’

Researcher Amy Snover explains why the IPCC report matters, what it says about climate change in the Northwest, and how communities can prepare.

“This will just keep getting worse until we stop it,” Snover said. “The science is really clear that every bit, every part of a degree of additional warming makes the future worse, which means that every part of a degree of warming that we can avert will make the future better. I do this work because the future isn’t written yet. We’re actually writing it every day we live, and I want to be part of making the future better.” 

Hitting Home: Latest climate change report underscores impacts for Skagit County

As Skagit County experienced yet another stretch of oppressive heat, smoke and continued drought this past week, news alerts kept coming about massive fires in the U.S., Canada and Greece along with word of a Code Red announced in the latest report from a United Nations group studying climate change. Guillaume Mauger is quoted.  

CIG Director Amy Snover Talks Climate Change and the Future of Outdoor Adventuring with Crosscut

For many living in the Northwest, the natural beauty and the diversity of landscapes and recreation opportunities are central to the identity of this special place we call home. But as climate change brings more wildfires, smoke, heat and reduced snowpack, many outdoor recreationists are wondering what these impacts mean for the future of recreation in the Northwest.

UW Climate Impacts Group Director Dr. Amy Snover joined Crosscut for a virtual conversation about climate change and the future of outdoor adventuring in the Northwest.

Watch the full talk 

New UW collaboratory to support equitable and just climate action

An interdisciplinary group of University of Washington researchers has teamed with Front and Centered to create an innovative Collaboratory to promote just and equitable climate action. Jason Vogel, UW Climate Impacts Group deputy director, is part of the research team. 

Apply Today: Frontline Community Climate Resilience Scientist

The UW Climate Impacts Group is seeking to grow our team with a new, full-time Frontline Community Climate Resilience Scientist (position open now!) and a full-time Program Integration Specialist (position posting coming soon!).

The Frontline Community Scientist will bring thought leadership and coordination to a new climate justice-focused research collaborative at the Climate Impacts Group. The Frontline Community Scientist will have a unique opportunity to advance the theory and practice of climate services provision to frontline communities while working collaboratively with Native American tribes, rural communities and communities of color.

This position will involve leading and supporting research projects in climate resilience and climate justice; participating in strategic planning; coordinating and communicating across leadership and our partner organizations; among other responsibilities.