 |
INTEGRATED CLIMATE RESPONSE STRATEGYTopics:
|
Washington State Integrated Climate Change Response StrategyWashington 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 response strategy 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. For more information, see the Ecology news release: Report outlines state's strategies for responding and adapting to changing climate conditions (4/3/2012) |
Climate Change
Text goes here
Text goes here
Agriculture:
Warmer temperatures, higher carbon dioxide levels, and more frequent and severe floods and droughts could significantly impact crop yields.Click on image
to get the Focus Sheet on
agriculture.
Water Resources
Increasing temperature, declining snowpack, and earlier snowmelt will increase the risk of summer water shortages and increase the demand for waterClick on image
to get the Focus Sheet on
water resources.
Fish, wildlife, and plants
Changing temperature, precipitation, and other climate patterns will alter, and in some cases, destroy habitat and the ecological conditions required for the survival of plants and animals.Click on image
to get the Focus Sheet on
ecosystems.
Climate Impacts
Washington’s climate is changing in ways that bring significant risks to human health, natural resources, infrastructure, and other resources vital to the economy and the environment.Click on image
to get the Focus Sheet on
climate impacts.
Coastal Hazards
Sea level along Washington’s coast is projected to rise 24 inches over the next century.Click on image
to get the Focus Sheet on
coastlines.
Forests
Rising temperatures, more frequent and longer lasting heat waves, and drier summers are expected to contribute to larger, more severe wildfires.Click on image
to get the Focus Sheet on
our forests.
Human Health
Many of the expected health effects of climate change will fall mostly on young children, the elderly, the poor, and people with existing health conditions.Click on image
to get the Focus Sheet on
human health.
Infrastructure and the Built Environment
Rising sea levels, flooding, and more frequent and severe weather could expose transportation and energy systems to more frequent disruptions and higher maintenance costs.Click on image
to get the Focus Sheet on
impacts to infrastructure.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
|
|
|
|
