Climate Impacts Group

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.  

‘All of our equipment started to float’: Tides, rainfall cause chaos in Snohomish County

King tides, rain and swollen rivers from recent snow melt created a dangerous situation in low-lying areas near the Snohomish River and by the shore. Dr. Guillaume Mauger is quoted. 

‘Tis the season … for king tides around Puget Sound

‘Tis the season for king tides: The highest tides of the year. Extreme high tides are headed to Puget Sound Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning of the last week of December. Dr. Guillaume Mauger is quoted. 

NW Resilience Collaborative launches Community Grants Program

The Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative is accepting applications for funding of climate resilience projects through its Community Grants Program. The Resilience Collaborative, a program of the Climate Impacts Group, seeks to fund justice-focused, environmental and climate projects that advance community-centered resilience priorities. Nonprofits, community organizations and Tribes in Washington, Idaho and Oregon that serve frontline communities are eligible to apply. Letters of Interest for the Community Grants are due February 28, 2023. 

An informational webinar for potential applicants will be held virtually on Friday, January 20, from noon-1 p.m. Registration is required.

Grants can support projects on a range of topics, including capacity-building, developing resilience plans, implementing and evaluating resilience strategies, documenting climate and environmental impacts and more. 

Climate change could make WA streams too hot for fish, report shows

A report led by Crystal Raymond and Jonathan Yoder, Washington State University, is referenced.  

Wide-open spaces for TerrAdapt 

The large-landscape conservation planning tool has spun into an independent non-profit, with CIG’s Andrew Shirk at the helm

When Andrew Shirk and two colleagues first conceived of the large-landscape conservation planning tool, TerrAdapt, in 2018, they knew they were starting something special.

Shirk, research scientist at the Climate Impacts Group, Carly Vynne, biodiversity and climate team lead at RESOLVE, and Gregory Kehm, principal advisor at Gregory Kehm Associates, knew they wanted to help fill a gap in regional-scale conservation planning. “Managers often have great local information to inform natural resource management within their boundaries, but rarely have access to the big picture regional-scale view needed to cooperatively manage the resource across boundaries,” Shirk says. 

Report: Climate Change could polarize streamflow patterns

For Olympic Peninsula rivers, climate change could exacerbate seasonal lows and highs in streamflow. Dr. Crystal Raymond is quoted. 

“It doesn’t take much warming to raise winter temperatures enough for winter precipitation to fall as rain, rather than snow, and runoff in the winter.” – Crystal Raymond 

Now Hiring: Research Scientist – Hydrology

The UW Climate Impacts Group is hiring a new, full-time Research Scientist with a focus on hydrologic change in the northwestern U.S. The Research Scientist will work with CIG’s lead scientists to co-produce applied research, synthesize literature and engage with partners on climate impacts and adaptation related to hydrologic change in the region. To see the full job description, visit the UW Hires website.

This position will conduct research and modeling related to hydrologic change in CIG projects and provide analytical, logistical and management support for projects requiring hydrology expertise. They will co-produce actionable science with project partners and stakeholders; synthesize scientific literature related to hydrologic change, impacts and adaptation; and develop science communication products for diverse audiences. 

Climate assessment finds climate change impacts accelerating 

Crystal Raymond, a research scientist at the UW Climate Impacts Group, highlights the findings of a new federal climate assessment.