Members of the 91探花 have supported a newly released plan for state agencies to address the regional impacts of climate change, such as dwindling snowpack, rising seas, flooding and dangerous heat events like the 2021 Pacific Northwest 鈥渉eat dome.鈥�
To deal with those threats and prepare for the impacts still to come, 10 state agencies collaborated on the . Using the latest science as a foundation, the state鈥檚 new climate strategy, released Sept. 30, identifies actions that agencies will take to address the top climate change threats facing Washington: drought, changing ocean conditions, flooding, extreme heat, and wildfires and smoke.
The strategy鈥檚 creation was directed by the Washington Legislature, bringing together the state departments of agriculture, commerce, ecology, fish and wildlife, health, natural resources, transportation, the Washington State Conservation Commission, the Emergency Management Division and the Puget Sound Partnership. The 91探花Climate Impacts Group grounded the work with the most up-to-date science and developed a framework to measure progress on climate resilience.
The Legislature has also directed the 10 agencies to update the plan every four years to incorporate the latest science, resources and concerns into the strategy.
鈥淭his plan gives our state a road map to respond to major climate impacts like wildfires, smoke, severe heat, drought and flooding,鈥� said , interim director of the 91探花Climate Impacts Group, which acts as a hub for climate information and adaptation strategy for Washington state agencies and communities. 鈥淏y understanding what the state can do, what resources are available, and where they can have the greatest impact, we can limit the damage caused by these events, protecting lives, livelihoods and the environment that supports us all.鈥�
In the plan, each of the responsible agencies will act as the lead for specific actions, based on their existing roles and expertise.
鈥淲ashington got lucky this summer. We had fewer major wildfires and more moderate drought,鈥� said Laura Watson, director of the state Department of Ecology. 鈥淲e know that was just a temporary reprieve. We鈥檝e seen devastating proof in recent years of how vulnerable our state is. We are very susceptible to rising temperatures, summer wildfires, drought and winter floods. We have to prepare now so we鈥檙e ready for what鈥檚 to come.鈥�
91探花Climate Impacts Group contributors also included , Washington’s State Climatologist, and , a climate resilience specialist. , who鈥檚 now deputy director at the , of which the 91探花is a member, contributed while based at the 91探花Climate Impacts Group.
Adapted from a Department of Ecology . For more information, contact Stowe at stowec@uw.edu.
A launch event will take place 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at the UW. Space is limited but reporters are welcome to register . At the launch, 91探花researchers who contributed to the 5th National Climate Assessment will also share the latest science and findings from the assessment’s Northwest chapter.聽