Testing a new time-traveling VR experience that explores sea level rise in Seattle

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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

How are Washington’s parks feeling the effects of climate change?

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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.

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

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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. 

What new projections of sea level rise mean for Puget Sound and the WA coast

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Sea level rise will affect each area of the planet in a unique way, but new projections are helping researchers and lawmakers in Washington state identify which coastal communities are most vulnerable. Dr. Guillaume Mauger is quoted. 

“Even if we could magically turn off greenhouse gases tomorrow, we’re kind of stuck with what we’re going to get by 2050. What we see at the end of the century … is strongly dependent on how much we emit between now and then.” – Guillaume Mauger 

 

 

CIG Scientist Harriet Morgan to present in Washington Sea Grant/EarthLab event

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Building Resilience to Sea Level Rise Through Science Innovation and Community Engagement

Date: Tuesday, May 11
Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Register 

Harriet Morgan of the Climate Impacts Group will join Washington Sea Grant’s Ian Miller and Nicole Faghin in this virtual webinar to discuss their work as part of the Washington Coastal Resilience Project. They will delve into the hazards people living in Washington’s coastal areas face – ranging from nuisance flooding during King Tide events, eroding coastlines and wave damage – and how sea level rise is exacerbating these hazards. They will detail how incorporating sea level rise projections into the decision-making process will help Washington communities build resilience to coastal hazards, and how the Washington Coastal Resilience Project employed technical innovations and community engagement to rapidly increase the state’s capacity to support proactive local action on these hazards.

This virtual webinar is part of a series celebrating Washington Sea Grant‘s 50th anniversary of providing research, outreach, communications and education to Washington’s marine communities. EarthLab has partnered with Washington Sea Grant for a special three-part series that builds upon Collaborating Across Difference, an exploration in how individuals from different disciplines, communities or geographies come together around a common goal.

 

Stories of Building Climate Resilience Lecture Available to View

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From Cliffs to Coasts: Stories of Building Climate Resilience, originally held live on Zoom on December 3, 2020, combines storytelling and panel discussions to highlight examples of communities and organizations building climate resilience in the Northwestern United States and Canada. Climate Impacts Group partners and scientists discuss efforts to prepare for rising sea levels and ensure wildlife across the Pacific Northwest have access to suitable habitat.

This lecture is one in a three-part series of events marking the 25th anniversary of the Climate Impacts Group. The second and third lectures will be held online in January and March, 2021. For more information and to register for these events, visit the 25th anniversary event page.

Learn more about our panelists and moderator below:

Courtney Greiner is a marine ecologist for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. She studied Environmental Science at Western Washington University and Marine Affairs at University of Washington. She has been working in the Tribe’s Fisheries Department since 2012 assisting in shellfish management and research. Her current focus is addressing climate change impacts on coastal resources and she is the project manager for the clam garden project.

 

Meade stands in front of water and mountains wearing a blue hat and jacketMeade Krosby is a senior scientist with the UW Climate Impacts Group. She is also the University Deputy Director of the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. Dr. Krosby works closely with land and wildlife managers to collaboratively understand and address climate impacts on species and ecosystems. Her current work includes vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning; large landscape conservation planning for climate resilience; and efforts to build climate adaptation capacity and communities of practice. Dr. Krosby received a B.S. in Biology from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Washington. Follow Meade on Twitter: @MeadeKrosby

Harriet Morgan is a research consultant with the UW Climate Impacts Group. In close collaboration with state and local agencies, communities, and tribes, Harriet evaluates the effects of climate change on natural resources throughout the Pacific Northwest, with a special focus on species and ecosystem vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans. Harriet received a B.S. in Conservation Biology from McGill University and a M.S. in Conservation Ecology from the University of Michigan. Follow Harriet on Twitter: @HarrietMorgan0

 

Jason Ransom is a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, a senior wildlife ecologist at the US National Park Service, and affiliate faculty at Colorado State University. His work is on the front lines of applied conservation science in Africa and North America. Dr. Ransom’s research focuses on restoration science, phenology of biological phenomena, behavioural adaptation to environmental change, and the importance of protected areas to landscape level conservation. Ransom works collaboratively across agencies, organisations, and diverse stakeholder groups, a practice he feels is essential to addressing even the most basic conservation challenges. Follow Jason on Twitter: @wildequids

Jen Watkins is the science, planning, and monitoring assistant division manager of the Forest Health and Resiliency Division of the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Jen is one of the founding members of the Cascadia Partner Forum, a group of individuals, organizations and communities working across boundaries to increase knowledge, coordination, and attention towards climate adaptation priority issues. Issues include ecosystem processes, natural resources, species, and management issues. Jen holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of Forest Resources from the University of Washington.

Lara Whitely Binder is the climate preparedness program manager for King County, where she is responsible for leading and coordinating King County’s efforts to prepare for the impacts of climate change. This includes working across County departments to integrate climate resilience into policies and practices, and strengthening regional partnerships to address shared challenges and opportunities related to climate preparedness. Prior to joining King County, Lara worked for 17 years with the Climate Impacts Group, first as a graduate student and then as professional staff advancing climate adaptation practice across the Pacific Northwest. Lara holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Evans School at the University of Washington.

Moderator

Dr. Amy Snover is the director of the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group and Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. She is an innovator in linking climate science with on-the-ground needs of resource managers, planners and policymakers to ensure that Pacific Northwest people, communities and ecosystems thrive in a changing climate. She directs scientific efforts to provide the fundamental understanding, data, tools and technical support necessary for managing the climate risks. Dr. Snover was recognized as a White House Champion of Change for Climate Education and Literacy in 2015 and served as co-convening lead author for the Third US National Climate Assessment and lead author of the ground-breaking 2007 guidebook, Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments.

Register for our December 3 lecture. To learn more about the Climate Impacts Group’s 25th anniversary and to register for future events, visit our anniversary webpage.