Researchers at the UW Climate Impacts Group lead, support and advise science-based efforts to adapt to climate change across the Northwest. 

Our research informs decisions, influences policy and practice, and provides training and education to a range of audiences.  

Our expertise includes climate science, hydrology, conservation biology, forest ecology and management, climate impact and vulnerability assessment, adaptation planning, policy, governance and community resilience. We use our expertise to help understand and address climate impacts and risk management across a range of sectors, including water, coasts & oceans, forests & fire, wildlife & ecosystems and people & society.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR WORK.

We contribute to climate adaptation across the region by…

Developing science that is useful and used

We develop projections of future changes in sea level and flood risk

The City of Anacortes incorporated projections of future changes in streamflow and flood risk, developed by the Climate Impacts Group, in the design of their new $65 million water treatment plant. Sea level rise projections from the Climate Impacts Group were used by the Port of Bellingham to guide redevelopment along the Bellingham waterfront and by King County—the sixth largest county in the U.S.—to reduce the vulnerability of wastewater treatment infrastructure to sea level rise and coastal flooding.

Photo credit Rebecca Bollwitt, CC by-NC 2.0

We identify threats to public health

Climate Impacts Group-affiliated researchers have examined the impacts of climate change on air quality and public health, finding, for example, that the morbidity and mortality rates are expected to increase in Washington State with more frequent extreme heat events.

We assess threats to transportation systems and infrastructure

The Federal Highway Administration, the Washington State Department of Transportation and Sound Transit, a central Puget Sound public transit agency, are all using Climate Impacts Group research to identify and prioritize climate change related risks and to inform adaptation options for highways, roads and transportation infrastructure in the western U.S.

Photo credit Pierce County

We develop strategies for helping to adapt public lands to a changing climate

Climate Impacts Group research, data and technical assistance was integral to the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service’s adaptation planning, which sought to address issues of access, increased risk of wildfire and insect outbreaks across six million acres in the northern Cascades.

Informing adaptation practices and policies

We provide policymakers with comprehensive, integrated reports on climate impacts

At the request of the Washington State Legislature, the Climate Impacts Group developed the first comprehensive assessment of climate impacts on Washington state and identified climate change consequences of practical concern (the Washington Climate Change Impacts Assessment, 2009). The Legislature consequently directed all Washington state agencies to develop plans in response to these findings.

WA Impacts Assessment

We develop guidance to support climate adaptation

The Climate Impacts Group has developed guidance for practical, science-based approaches for identifying and reducing climate risks, including the groundbreaking 2007 guidebook, Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments. With more than 3,000 copies provided worldwide, the guidebook has served as a template for climate change planning documents and training curricula developed by NOAA and the World Bank.

Read the Guidebook

Training practitioners and supporting their use of climate science

We inform water utility managers about the impacts of climate change on water resources

We provide training in climate impacts, communication and risk assessment so water utility managers can incorporate climate resilience into water system planning

Water Management Resources

We provide technical support for adaptation planning

The Climate Impacts Group regularly provides technical guidance, review and analysis to support adaptation planning. For example, the Climate Impacts Group provided a risk assessment approach, climate change projections and technical guidance for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community’s Climate Change Initiative, considered one of the nation’s premier examples of tribal adaptation planning. The Climate Impacts Group has also provided technical guidance for adaptation planning work for the State of Washington, the City of Seattle and King County, Washington.

Enhancing public understanding of climate impacts

We engage with media, community groups and more

Through interviews with local and national reporters, presentations at conferences and community groups, and other public-facing activities, we share our understanding of climate impacts with our community.

We increase the accessibility of climate impacts science

Partnering with local educators, we translated two of our reports for a public audience into Spanish.

CAMBIANDO LAS LÍNEAS DE NIEVE Y LAS LÍNEAS DE COSTASIN TIEMPO QUE PERDER

We partner with artists to inspire and motivate

We collaborated with local artist Claire Sianna Seaman to develop a painting depicting climate resilience in Washington State. Through art, we aim to reach new audiences and inspire hope for a resilient future.

ARTIST COLLABORATION