Climate Impacts Group

Climate Change Front of Mind as Cloud of Smoke Chokes Washington Again

Fires and smoke are sometimes called the “new normal” of climate change in the Northwest. But some hope these events will be yet another wake-up call. Climate Impacts Group Director Amy Snover is quoted.

“It’s terrifying to see what’s happening,” Snover said. “It’s upsetting to see what’s happening. And the worst of it is, it’s only going to get worse until we decide we don’t want it to get worse anymore, and reduce and eliminate greenhouse emissions.” 

Threat Multiplier: How Climate Change, Coronavirus and Weather are Scorching WA

Fires swept across the state and much of the west in the first full week of September. Crystal Raymond, climate adaptation specialist, draws the connection between wildfire and climate change. 

Gusty Winds, Hot Weather and Wildfires: Will Washington See More of This in the Future?

For the third day in a row, relentless winds from the east and northeast helped to significantly increase the fire danger across western Washington amid mounting requests for residents to avoid starting any new fires. Crystal Raymond, climate adaptation specialist, is quoted.  

Multiple Wildfires Devastate Large Swaths Of Areas In Eastern Washington

In Washington state, fires burned more land in a day than they normally burn in entire fire seasons. Crystal Raymond, climate adaptation specialist, discussed the connection between climate change and wildfire for National Public Radio.

“Basically, climate change is loading the dice” when it comes to wildfire risk, Crystal says. “And then you get a wind event, and things are just ready to go.”  

Officials Say Stay Inside: Unhealthy Air Through Wednesday

Smoke from more than two dozen wildfires in central and eastern Washington, as well as some in Canada, covered north Puget Sound Monday night. Crystal Raymond, climate adaptation specialist, is quoted. 

King County’s 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan Brings “More Equitable Access” to Climate Justice

King County Executive Dow Constantine released the county’s 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP), a five-year blueprint to confront the effects of climate change in our corner of the Pacific Northwest. CIG Director Amy Snover is quoted.

“The science is clear: human-caused climate change is underway,” said Amy Snover, director of the University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group. “Unfortunately, it’s not enough to work to stop climate change. We now also need to prepare for its consequences, which is why the plan’s focus on climate preparedness is so important.” 

New King County Climate Plan Calls for 50% Cut in Emissions by 2030, 80% by 2050

King County would aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and 80% by 2050, while it simultaneously pushes to prepare for the inevitable disruptions of climate change, under an updated climate plan proposed Thursday by County Executive Dow Constantine. CIG Director Amy Snover is quoted. 

NW CASC’s Amy Snover Discusses Value of CASC Program with WA Representative Derek Kilmer

The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center’s (NW CASC) University Director, Dr. Amy Snover, recently talked with WA Representative Derek Kilmer about the unique work of the Climate Adaptation Science Centers and how Congress’ continued support for building climate resilience through investments in the CASC program is helping the Northwest and the country as a whole prepare for and adapt to a changing climate.

Dr. Snover explains, “The real happy secret about climate adaptation is that there are folks on the ground in communities all around this region – in our local governments, in our tribal entities, in our state and federal agencies – who are thinking about these climate risks and are doing their best to prepare for them. 

Conservation Planning for a Wild and Thriving Cascadia

With ever-shrinking pristine habitats across the region and globe, wildlife is often hard-pressed to find a place to call home. Even if they find a suitable home today, the question remains if it will still be suitable tomorrow. With climate change already underway and increasing human presence in wild landscapes, land managers and conservation organizations continually wrestle with this issue here in the Pacific Northwest and across the world.

These complexities make conservation planning difficult, but the Cascadia Partner Forum is an organization primed to tackle it. Its focus is on Cascadia, an area rich in both plant and animal diversity that encompasses much of Washington and southern British Columbia. 

Webinar Series: Using Climate Information in Water Utility Planning

 This webinar has passed. To learn more about the project and view the webinar recordings, please visit the project page.

Tuesday, August 11,
9–10:30 a.m.

Learning How to Adapt to a Changing Climate: A Collection of Case Studies from Water Agencies Throughout the U.S.

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Tuesday, August 18
9–10:30 a.m.

Climate Adaptation in Public Works led by Fred Buckenmeyer, Director of Public Works, City of Anacortes

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Tuesday, August 25
9–10:30 a.m.

Throw Away Your Crystal Ball: A Stress Testing Approach to Infrastructure Planning Under Climate Change Uncertainty

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This three-part webinar series is designed to help small and medium water utilities plan and design for climate change.