Climate Impacts Group

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. 

We’re Hiring: Climate Impacts Group Director

We are hiring a Director to plan and lead the activities of the UW Climate Impacts Group. The Director will provide strategic leadership and direction for the Group’s research, education and stakeholder engagement efforts aimed at improving societal and ecological resilience to climate variability and change, and will represent the Climate Impacts Group on a regional and national scale. This position will establish the vision and build support both inside and outside the University of Washington for our efforts to connect science with climate-resilience action through partnership and collaboration. They will broaden and deepen our efforts related to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. 

Scenic Tacoma road permanently closed to cars. Blame climate change.

Crumbling cliffs have led Metro Parks Tacoma to permanently close two miles of Five Mile Drive, a popular park road built atop the bluffs of Tacoma’s Point Defiance 109 years ago. City officials are blaming climate change for the worsening erosion of a 150-foot-tall sea bluff that frames the Point Defiance peninsula as it juts into Puget Sound. Dr. Guillaume Mauger is quoted.  

How climate change will impact recreation in the Pacific Northwest

As the seasons change in Washington state from winter to spring, you can almost hear the collective cheers at the promise of warmer weather and sunnier days. For some, though, this time of year also marks the dreaded end of winter fun, as snow starts melting on the Pacific Northwest’s tallest peaks. But how will climate change affect outdoor recreation, not only during these transitional periods but throughout the year? And what can we expect in the coming years and decades? Dr. Amy Snover is quoted.

“The future isn’t written, meaning we don’t know exactly what will happen. We have already set some climate change impacts in motion, but how bad it is on the ground here in the Northwest depends on how quickly we act to reverse it.” 

– Dr. 

New Chapter for Climate Impacts Group Director Amy Snover

Dr. Amy Snover, director of the UW Climate Impacts Group, is retiring on June 15, 2022, having worked for the Climate Impacts Group for more than 20 years and served as the director for nearly a decade. In her time at the Climate Impacts Group, Amy has grown and strengthened our team and programs significantly. Amy led the team in successful applications to host the USGS-funded Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center and the NOAA-funded Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative, broadening the scope and reach of our work. She has developed enduring partnerships with policymakers, resource managers, researchers and others across the Northwest and beyond.