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SUBJECTS › ENVIRONMENT › Climate Change

Updated 01/09

Climate Change

Contents

Introduction

There is increasing recognition of climate change on both a global and regional level. "Global warming" refers to increases in global temperatures resulting from an accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and chlorofluorocarbons. These gases trap the sun's heat as it is radiated from the earth, and prevent it from escaping back into space. State and local governments are starting to take actions to reduce greenhouse gases.

According to the National Academy of Sciences, the earth's surface temperature has risen by about one degree Fahrenheit in the past century, with accelerated warming during the past two decades. Most warming over the last 50 years is attributed to human-caused global warming.

Around the world and in the Pacific Northwest, noticeable changes in natural resources and plants and animals have been associated with this warming, from shrinking glaciers and mountain snowpacks to altered migratory patterns. These changes are expected to continue as global warming intensifies.

This Web page provides links to basic information about climate change, particularly regional climate change in the Pacific Northwest. It emphasizes state and local efforts to address climate change issues.

If you have information to share or are aware of other Web sites that we should link to, please contact Carol Tobin, Planning Consultant at ctobin@mrsc.org, or call (206) 625-1300.

General Climate Resources

  • ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - ICLEI (formerly the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) is an international membership association of local governments committed to advancing climate protection and sustainable development.
    • ICLEI USA - Membership organization of more than 500 local governments in the U.S. committed to climate protection and sustainability
    • ICLEI USA Members by State – Washington - Included 34 Washington cities and counties in Dec. 2008
    • Sample Resolution, Cities for Climate Protection Campaign ()
  • Mayors Climate Protection Center, U.S. Conference of Mayors - Launched in Feb. 2007 to provide the guidance and assistance in city efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are linked to climate change
  • Brookings Institution, Climate Change and Global Warming - Links to related articles
  • Pew Center on Global Climate Change - Comprehensive site of independent non-profit organization dedicated to providing credible information and innovative solutions in the effort to address global climate change. Offers a comprehensive collection of scientific and public policy information regarding climate change.
  • Climate Communities - National coalition of cities and counties that is working with federal policymakers regarding the important role of local governments in addressing climate change and promoting a strong local-federal partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Climate Solutions - Practical Solutions to Global Warming - Northwest nonprofit organization spearheading a regional approach to global warming solutions
  • Climate Institute - Nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C.; promotes international awareness of climate change, and identifies practical ways of achieving significant emissions reductions
  • The Climate Registry - Nonprofit organization that provides information to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and establishes consistent, transparent standards throughout North America for businesses and governments to calculate, verify and publicly report their carbon footprints in a single, unified registry.
  • The Climate Trust - Nonprofit organization that promotes climate change solutions by providing greenhouse gas offset projects and advancing sound offset policy
  • Climate Ark - Climate Change and Global Warming Portal - Includes search engine, climate news and climate change blog; site dedicated to promoting public policy that addresses global climate change through reductions in carbon dioxide and other emissions, renewable energy, energy conservation, and ending deforestation
  • Global Green U.S.A. – Climate Solutions - National environmental organization addressing climate change and sustainable development, by focussing on stemming global climate change by creating green buildings and cities.
  • The Global Warming Survival Guide, 2007, Time Magazine
  • League of Women Voters Climate Change 
  • The Nature Conservancy, Climate Change - Includes general information and activities of The Nature Conservancy to address climate change
  • Focus the Nation – National organizational and educational effort for sustainable change started by universities, focusing on clean energy solutions for the U.S. 
  • Smart Growth America Energy and Climate - Coalition of national, state, and local organizations working towards better choices for communities
  • Environmental Law and Climate Change Center, LexisNexis - News and general legal information
  • New America Foundation, Climate Policy Program - Information on climate news, state building blocks, regional initiatives, and climate action blog, provided by national, nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institute
  • Sightline's Climate Policy Project - Major project to help craft a fair, effective climate policy for the Northwest from this Seattle-based nonprofit research and communication center devoted to sustainability. 

Scientific and Public Policy Information Related to Climate Change

From the international level, including Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the United Nations, to Washington State and local governments, global waming and climate impacts have been in the spotlight in recent years. The Northwest has been on the leading edge of climate issues, from both scientific and public policy perspectives.

International

U.S. Government

Northwest Climate Information

In Washington State, the University of Washington and Washington State University have conducted valuable research on regional climate change and provided scientific data and policy analysis on global warming and climate issues.

Center for Science in the Earth System (CSES) at the University of Washington - Performs integrated research on the impacts of climate on the U.S. Pacific Northwest (PNW) by combining and integrating expertise in climate, ecology, hydrology, and institutional and policy analysis. The CSES also researches the application of climate information in regional decision-making processes in support of an eventual regional-oriented climate service.

CSES is a portal to two sites:

  • Climate Impacts Group (CIG) - An interdisciplinary research group studying the impacts of natural climate variability and global climate change on the Pacific Northwest. The CIG works with planners and policy makers to apply this information to regional decision making processes and hosts a climate update mailing list for periodic research updates, announcements, and other information related to the Pacific Northwest climate
  • Office of the Washington State Climatologist (OWSC) - The State Climatologist collects, disseminates, and interprets climate data. This site provides links to sources of climate data and seasonal forecasts for the state of Washington.

Selected Materials from the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group

Washington State University Climate Information

Washington State and Local Government Response to Climate Change

In 2008, the Legislature passed and funded a law that commits to reducing global warming pollution while building a clean energy economy and green-collar jobs in Washington. The Legislature also passed legislation to address how our land use decisions impact climate change.

The Climate Action and Green Jobs Bill, ESSHB 2815 (Chapter 14, Laws of 2008), requested by Governor Gregoire, sets limits on global warming pollution, sets goals for reducing miles traveled, and establishes a program to train people for jobs in the clean energy industry. The Local Solutions to Global Warming Bill, SB 6580 (Chapter 289, Laws of 2008), sets in motion the important first steps to support local governments that are interested in addressing climate change through their land use and transportation planning and lays the groundwork for future policy changes.

The state legislature passed an act related to mitigating the impacts of climate change in 2007 (ESSB 6001, Ch. 307, Laws of 2007). This act establishes state goals to reduce greenhouse gases emissions as well as a greenhouse gases emissions performance standard for electric utilities operating in the state. Various reports are required by state agencies and the Governor.

In 2005, the state legislature enacted motor vehicle emissions standards requiring new cars in Washington to be less polluting (ESHB 1397, Ch. 295, Laws of 2005). This will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to global warming. Related state legislation passed in 2006 established minimum renewable fuel content requirements and fuel quality standards (ESSB 6508, Ch. 338, Laws of 2006).

Several regional air pollution agencies have developed Web pages on climate change and local governments have enacted resolutions or ordinances addressing emission standards and other climate issues. Seattle, King County, and Olympia are among the Washington jurisdictions that have taken a leadership role in addressing climate change. Some comprehensive plans include policies related to air quality and climate issues.

General Information on Local Governments and Climate Change

Washington State and Regional Governments

Washington Cities and Counties

This includes ordinances and resolutions related to climate change, green task forces, and climate action plans.  Also see the sections below on "Legal Issues and Environmental Review of Climate Impacts" and "Comprehensive Plans and Benchmarking Reports addressing Climate Issues."

Legal Issues and Environmental Review of Climate Impacts

Comprehensive Plans and Benchmarking Reports addressing Climate Issues

Local Governments Outside Washington State

Oregon, California, and British Columbia Links on Climate Change

Related MRSC Web Pages

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