Climate Impacts Group

Don’t Get Crabby, Get Proactive! Invasive Species Science at the NW CASC

The European green crab (Carcinas maenas), brought to the area by ocean conditions altered by climate change, is threatening shellfish industries, Tribal food sources and estuarine habitats across the Pacific Northwest. Where it becomes established, it preys on clams, mussels and oysters, degrades habitat by destroying aquatic vegetation, and eats and competes with juvenile Dungeness crabs, massively disrupting marine ecosystems.

Fortunately, timely management responses and removal interventions have helped control the spread and impact of the European green crab. Researchers, state agencies and Tribes are working hard to understand how best to protect our ecosystems and resources from this threat.

The Northwest Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (NW RISCC) Network, a program within the CIG-hosted Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, recently published a management brief, which shares information on the ways warming temperatures can influence this ongoing invasion and highlights the role climate adaptation can play in management. 

WA’s drought deepens and the summer forecast offers no respite

Yes, this is summer and it’s supposed to be hot and dry. But this year we’re much drier than normal and, fresh off major droughts in 2024 and 2023, the effects of these lingering dry spells is compounding. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco said, “The driest part of our year is just getting started.” Please reach out to CIG directly if you are unable to access the article.

Leavenworth artist’s climate-themed triptych featured at Smithsonian exhibit

For Earth Day, the Smithsonian featured Leavenworth-borth artist Claire Sianna Seaman’s Imagining a Climate Resilient Future in the Pacific Northwest. The triptych was commissioned by the Climate Impacts Group to celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2020-2021.  

Funding Opportunity for Washington Coastal Tribes

The Climate Impacts Group is launching a small grants program, the Washington Coastal resilience and Adaptation Funding for Tribes (WA-CRAFT), to support the climate adaptation work of Washington coastal Tribes. In alignment with our commitment to honor Tribal sovereignty and self-determination, the program was co-designed with Tribal partners. Guided by their feedback, the program is designed to be non-competitive, low-barrier, and unrestricted to maximize flexibility and accessibility of funds.

In this time of funding uncertainty, we are honored to support the original stewards of this land as they continue their vital work—work that has sustained Tribal communities since time immemorial.

Learn more and apply by August 11, 2025 

Announcing the PNW Climate Ambassadors: Building Capacity for Public Climate Conversations

In Fall 2024, the Program on Climate Change (PCC), and the Washington State Climate Office (WASCO), set out to create a training program that would help develop the capacity for graduate students to do just that, and to serve as a community resource on climate science and solutions.

NW CASC Accepting Applications for 2026 Faculty Fellowship Program Until 7/15

The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, hosted by the Climate Impacts Group, is now accepting applications for our 2026 Faculty Fellowship Program, which supports research related to climate adaptation in Northwest natural and cultural resource management as well as training in the principles and practices of co-producing decision-relevant science. 

UW Libraries hosting alternative access to federal climate data

In light of growing concerns for the continued availability of federal climate data and tools, we would like to point you toward an ongoing effort at UW Libraries to gather alternative links to federal climate resources and websites. 

You can find a current list of these alternative access links at UW Libraries. This list includes links to archived versions of government webpages (for example, via the GovWayback archive and others) as well as a section titled ‘Climate, energy, & environmental data’ which lists access links for various climate datasets and tools. This list is by no means comprehensive and is likely to expand. 

Drought declaration covers much of Western Washington — but not Gig Harbor

Water levels remain normal across the Kitsap Peninsula even as many other parts of Western Washington experience droughts after a dry spring. Communities on the Kitsap Peninsula remain largely unaffected by these fluctuations.  Unlike many of its neighbors, the peninsula gets its water almost exclusively through precipitation and groundwater aquifers. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted. 

Drought emergency declared for Methow Valley

The Methow Valley is in a drought emergency for the third year in a row. And this year, the drought emergency arrived early because of an especially warm and dry spring. Although much of eastern Washington is already dry this year — typical for the region — the most severe conditions are centered around the Cascades. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco is quoted. 

Why knowing your neighbors can be an important climate solution

While much in the path of Hurricane Helene suffered lasting damage and destruction, North Carolina’s Earthaven Ecovillage showed remarkable resilience. The community had backup power and water systems, as well as food supplies, but members also knew how to work together in a crisis. Earthaven Ecovillage’s ability to respond to Hurricane Helene is an example of how social cohesion helps protect communities against climate hazards. Climate Resilience Scientist Rishi Sugla is quoted.