Healthy Planet, Healthy People

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Five experts in climate science and low-carbon infrastructure at the University of Washington wrote about how we can recover from a climate crisis during a health crisis. Amy Snover is one of the five featured experts. 

“Rebuilding our collective lives post-pandemic requires attending to all of the intertwined systems that we depend on. Responses to COVID-19 must incorporate solutions for climate change and racial justice. Recovery investments must accelerate decarbonization, not pause it — and advance preparation for rising climate stresses, not punt on it. In a world of compound risks, we must insist on compound solutions. We don’t have enough time, money or planet to do it any other way.” – Amy Snover

CIG Research on Climate-Resilient Design for Fish Passages is Part of Effort Winning 2020 Climate Adaptation Leadership Award

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Research conducted by Climate Impacts Group scientists on climate-resilient design for culvert and fish habitat restoration projects in Washington is part of a larger effort by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife that recently won a 2020 Climate Adaptation Leadership Award. This award from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies recognizes outstanding leadership to advance climate resilience of America’s natural resources and the many people, businesses and communities that depend on them.

The climate-resilient culverts project was initiated by Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife to help inform Washington State’s current investments in repairing fish passage barriers that hinder the recovery of imperiled salmon stocks. It has grown into a partnership with the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group through research funding through the NW CASC. The goal of this effort is to make projections of future climate-induced changes in stream flows and channel widths available to engineers designing culverts. This goal has been achieved through an online tool that enables engineers to obtain site-specific information for designing climate-adapted culverts.

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

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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.

Dr. Snover to Give Virtual Briefing on Linking Science & Action

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Director Dr. Amy Snover will give a Livecast briefing for Congressional staff and the broader community on Thursday, April 16, 9–9:45 a.m. PT. In her briefing, “Bridging the Gap Between Science and Decision-Making,” Dr. Snover will discuss the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group and Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center’s programs and methods for advancing climate resilience in the Northwest. The briefing is sponsored by the non-partisan Environmental and Energy Study Institute. Dr. Snover will appear as part of the Institute’s Climate Adaptation Data Week, a briefing series focused on coastal climate adaptation data needs and applications.

 

 

Plan for Climate Resilience Announced for Washington State

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A recent report from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) details the steps that can be taken to minimize the threat of climate change on local farms, forests, and communities. Dr. Crystal Raymond, climate adaptation specialist, is quoted. “The potential impacts of climate change can seem dire, but the consequences for our natural systems, economies, and local communities don’t have to be,” Dr. Raymond said. “The sooner we collectively act to plan for and manage climate risks, the better prepared we will all be.”