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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)

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High Tide - January 2010

West Seattle, WA

Port Orchard, WA

Sea level rise in Puget Sound region

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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Seven state agencies collaborated on the Response Strategy with input from a large

advisory group

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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.)

Timeline

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November – Public reviewFinal – End of December