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Preparing Washington for a Changing ClimateAn Integrated Climate Change Response Strategy
Department of EcologyHedia Adelsman, Executive Policy Advisor
2nd PNW Climate Science ConferenceSeptember 13, 2011
Foundation For Adaptation in Washington
•UW/Climate Impacts Group (CIG) 2009 Assessment
•Executive Order 07-02•2008 adaptation reports
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Hydrologic Climate Change Scenarios
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Potential Economic Costs in Washington If no additional actions are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
(million dollars per year)
2020 2040
Lost Natural Water Storage $7,150 $11,100Increased health-related costs $1,300 $2,200
Reduced salmon populations $531 $1,400Increased energy costs (reduced hydro supply, higher energy demand)
$222 $623
Increased wildland fire costs $102 $208Lost recreation opportunities $75 $210Increased coastal and storm damage $72 $150Reduced food production $35 $64Impacts to Forestry of Beetle Kill $31 $28.7
Total increased costs $9,000 $15,900
By 2020 total cost expected to reach $3,166 per household each yearSource: University of Oregon, Climate Leadership Initiative
Most Significant Climate Change Impacts
• Increase in average air temperature and likelihood of extreme heat events
• Changes in hydrology and water supply: reduced snowpack, changes in the seasonal distribution of precipitation; and changes in water quality
• Increasing sea levels, wave heights and storm surges
• Increase in ocean acidification
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Impacts of Climate Change on Water Resources
Red: Severely impactedbasins.Pink:SignificantlyImpacted basins.Green:Less impactedbasins.
Based on CIG 2009 hydrologic assessment , existing water problems in 16 critical basins and projected population growthWRIA – Water Resources Inventory Area (basin)
State Agency Climate Leadership Act, 2009
• Requires development of an “integrated climate change response strategy…” which must address “regional capacity to take action, existing ecosystem and resource management concerns, and health and economic risks.”
• Requires state agencies “… to incorporate adaptation plans of action as priority activities when planning or designing policies and programs. ..and funding infrastructure projects…”
• State agencies “… may consult with qualified nonpartisan experts from the scientific community…”
• Executive Order 09-05: requires focus on sea level rise and water resources
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Topic Advisory Groups
Built Environment, Infrastructure and Communities
Human Health and Security Ecosystems, Species, Habitats
Natural Resources
An Integrated Climate Change Response Strategy
• Human Health and Security• Ecosystems, Habitats and Species• Coastal and Ocean Resources• Water Management• Agriculture• Forestry• Infrastructure• Monitoring and Research• Communication and Public Engagement• Implementation Framework
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Policy Directives• Mainstream adaptation - incorporate climate change and
adaptation actions into state agency planning, policies and investment decisions.
• Foster collaboration and coordination between agencies and levels of government to address cross-cutting issues.
• Support efforts of local communitiesto prepare for changing climate.
• Improve access to integrated science.• Build public awareness and engagement.
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Key Strategies
• Incorporate impacts and adaptation into long-range planning.
• Consider impacts when designing policies, projects and when making public investment decisions.
• Strengthen state’s emergency preparedness to respond to climate hazards.
• Implement portfolio of policies to achieve sustainable water resources management.
• Protect human health by addressing impacts into existing public health activities.
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Key Strategies (cont.)
• Protect ecosystem processes and services.• Encourage protection of conservation areas and
avoid conversion of agriculture and forest lands.• Ensure climate-resilient infrastructure investments.• Improve availability and easy access to locally
specific impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation options.
• Provide guidance to local communities to integrate impacts and adaptation into local decision making processes.
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Agriculture and Forestry• Engage scientific community, stakeholders and
the public when designing adaptation actions.• Build public awareness through conversation
about benefits of addressing climate change. • Develop applied tools for use for decision
making, especially at local level.• Expand and adjust current monitoring
networks.• Collaborate on research projects.
Key Strategies (cont.)