Climate Change > Preparing for Impacts > State Response Strategy

Washington State Integrated Climate Change Response Strategy

Washington is experiencing changing climate conditions that bring significant risks to human health, our forests, agriculture, freshwater supplies, coastlines and other resources that are vital to our economy, environment and quality of life. Recognizing Washington’s vulnerability to climate impacts, the Legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire directed state agencies to develop an integrated climate change response strategy to help state, tribal and local governments, public and private organizations, businesses and individuals prepare.

The state Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Ecology, Fish and Wildlife, Health, Natural Resources and Transportation worked with a broad range of interested parties to develop recommendations that form the basis for a report by the Department of Ecology: “Preparing for a Changing Climate: Washington State’s Integrated Climate Change Response Strategy.”

It lays out a framework that decision-makers can use to help protect Washington’s communities, natural resources and economy from the impacts of climate change.

This report builds from the findings of the comprehensive 2009 Washington Climate Change Impacts Assessment (WACCIA) from the Climate Impacts Group as well as other scientific research and information on the impacts of climate change on Washington State.

For more information, see the Ecology news release: Report outlines state's strategies for responding and adapting to changing climate conditions (4/3/2012)

Preparing for a Changing Climate
Washington State’s Integrated Climate Response Strategy

April 2012

Download the Response Strategy report

• Full report (summary page for the complete report)
• Individual Chapters: (direct link to high resolution PDF files)
  • Cover page, Contact Information, Table of Contents, and Acknowledgements (1.60MB)
  • Executive Summary (2.4 MB)
  • Chapter 1. Introduction (1.5 MB)
  • Chapter 2. Responding to Climate Change (4.2 MB)
  • Chapter 3. Observed Trends and Future Projections (3.4 MB)
  • Chapter 4. Human Health (3.5 MB)
  • Chapter 5. Ecosystems, Species, and Habitats (5.6 MB)
  • Chapter 6. Ocean and Coastlines (4.5 MB)
  • Chapter 7. Water Resources (6.3 MB)
  • Chapter 8. Agriculture (7.5 MB)
  • Chapter 9. Forests (3.8 MB)
  • Chapter 10. Infrastructure and the Built Environment (5.6 MB)
  • Chapter 11. Research and Monitoring (2.1 MB)
  • Chapter 12. Climate Communication, Public Awareness, and Engagement (2.6 MB)
• Glossary, Bibliography, and Photo Credits (PDF, 1 MB)
• Appendices cover page (PDF, 0.9 MB):
  • Appendix A. Advisory Group Members (PDF, 0.3 MB)
  • Appendix B. Advisory Groups Reports and Recommendations:
    • Built Environment, Infrastructure, and Communities (PDF, 1.1 MB)
    • Human Health and Security (PDF, 0.4 MB)
    • Ecosystems, Species and Habitats (PDF, 1.3 MB)
    • Natural Resources - Working Lands and Waters (PDF, 0.8 MB)
  • Appendix C. Priority Response Strategies and Actions (PDF, 0.2 MB)
  • Appendix D. Summary of Projected Changes in Major Drivers of Pacific Northwest Climate Change Impacts (PDF, 0.1 MB)

In the News:

Forbes cites climate threats; Washington state ranked high for climate response (Forbes, 4/10/2012)

Contact:

Hedia Adelsman, (360) 407-6222

Joanna Ekrem, (360) 407-7144