Climate change stands to have profound impacts on water, ecosystems, forests, coasts and oceans and human health and society.

The Pacific Northwest is already experiencing increasing temperatures, decreasing snow and ice and rising sea levels at most locations. But what does it mean for people, communities and nature? Climate change stands to have profound impacts on water, ecosystems, forests, coasts and oceans and human health and society.

Water

Climate change will alter patterns of snowfall, rain and snowmelt, shifting how our region receives and stores water. Broadly, the region will receive more water in the fall, winter and early spring, and less in the summer – when we need it the most. These changes will have an impact on every aspect of life in the Northwest, from forests to farms, ski areas to cities. Learn more about how climate change will alter water availability in the Northwest, and the implications for the region.

At the Climate Impacts Group we study the effects of these changes on water quality, water storage and stormwater, and help communities prepare for increasing risks of drought and flood. Learn more about our work in this area.

CLIMATE + WATER

Forests

As the climate warms, forests across the Northwest will experience increased disturbances from wildfire, drought, insects and disease. Parts of the region that historically were habitat for certain tree species will no longer be suitable for these species as the temperatures warm. Learn more about how climate change threatens healthy Northwest forests.

The Climate Impacts Group helps resource managers and private landowners take actions that can make their forests more resilient to wildfire, disease and other climate impacts. Learn more about our work in this area.

CLIMATE + FORESTS

Coasts and oceans

Sea levels are rising and the ocean is warming and acidifying. Learn more about how these changes threaten Pacific Northwest coastal property and infrastructure, fishing and recreation, communities and wildlife.

Coastal communities across the region work with the Climate Impacts Group to understand how sea level rise and other climate impacts threaten the places and activities they care about, and work to protect them. Learn more about our research in this area.

As a member organization of EarthLab, the Climate Impacts Group also works closely with the Washington Ocean Acidification Center. Learn more about their work in this area.

CLIMATE + COASTS AND OCEANS

Fish, wildlife and ecosystems

Climate change is causing warmer average temperatures and declining snow in the mountains, as well as changing Pacific Northwest forests, oceans and other ecosystems. Learn more about how these changes will have cascading impacts for regional fish and wildlife.

At the Climate Impacts Group we work with natural resource managers and other stewards of public lands and wildlife to help ensure species have access to suitable habitat as the climate warms. Learn more about our work in this area.

CLIMATE + FISH, WILDLIFE AND ECOSYSTEMS

Human health and society

Climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme heat, floods, wildfires and other natural disasters – with profound effects on human health and the environment in which we work and play. Learn more about the impacts of climate change for human health and society.

The Climate Impacts Group studies the impacts of wildfire smoke and heat on human health; the impacts of extreme weather on utility operations; the impacts of abnormally dry conditions on agriculture – and much more. Learn more about our work in this area.

As a member organization of EarthLab, the Climate Impacts Group also works closely with the Center for Health and the Global Environment. Learn more about their work in this area.

CLIMATE + HEALTH AND SOCIETY

The impacts of climate change will not be distributed equally. Learn more about inequities in climate change impacts.

CLIMATE INEQUALITY