Northwest Climate Conference to be Held April 6-8, 2021 

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The 11th Northwest Climate Conference, hosted by the UW Climate Impacts Group, will be held Tuesday, April 6—Thursday, April 8, 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the conference will be held entirely online.

The NW Climate Conference annually brings together more than 500 researchers and practitioners from around the region to discuss scientific results, challenges, and solutions related to the impacts of climate on people, natural resources and infrastructure in the Northwest. The conference also provides a forum for presenting emerging policy and management goals, as well as information needs related to regional climate impacts and adaptation. Conference participants include policy- and decision-makers, resource managers, and scientists from academia, public agencies, sovereign tribal nations, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.

Don’t miss out on the region’s best opportunity for a cross-disciplinary exchange of knowledge and ideas relating to climate impacts and adaptation in the Northwest! We hope to see you in April 2021.

Keep an eye on the NWCC website for the latest updates.

King County launches beta-version GIS Open Data

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The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks released a beta-version of a tool illustrating the effects of climate change on the Puget Sound region. The highly technical tool uses spatial data (via GIS, or Geographic Information Systems), to visualize how specific climate impacts may affect communities, infrastructure, facilities and natural resources. The portal draws on data from the Climate Impacts Group’s 2015 report on climate change in Puget Sound, and is designed for professionals trained in geographic information systems.

The tool is being developed to support analysis needed by city planners, resource managers and other professionals in preparing for and adapting to the effects of climate change. Data include historical and projected changes in temperature, precipitation, snowpack, and streamflows for the Puget Sound basin. Users can use the site to view or download the data.

The tool is still in development, and the Department encourages users to reach out with feedback on the project. Visit the GIS portal webpage to test the tool and provide feedback.