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Subjects › Environment › Climate Change
Updated 05/2012

Climate Change

Contents

Introduction

The concern about of climate change has been widely recognized 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 planning to address climate change and 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 webpage provides links to basic information about climate change, particularly regional climate change in the Pacific Northwest. It emphasizes state and local efforts to address issues associated with climate.

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

The following are some key resources that provide general information about how to slow down the process of climate change and address its impacts.

  • ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - ICLEI is an international membership association of local governments committed to advancing climate protection and sustainable development.
  • Climate Protection Center, U.S. Conference of Mayors - Provides 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
  • Center for Climate and Energy Solutions(C2ES) - Comprehensive site of independent non-profit organization dedicated to providing credible information and innovative solutions in the effort to address energy issues and 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 works 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
  • 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 Nature Conservancy, Climate Change - Includes general information and activities of The Nature Conservancy to address climate change
  • Environmental Law and Climate Change Community, LexisNexis - News and general legal information
  • Seventh Generation Advisors, Climate Policy Program - Works to ensure that strong climate policies and agreements are adopted and implemented at the state, federal, and international level in order to expedite the reduction of GHG emissions and protect our natural resources
  • Sightline Climate and Energy - Information from Seattle-based nonprofit research and communication center devoted to sustainability
  • U.S. Climate Policy Initiative, Center for Clean Air Policy - Supports development of a national climate policy 

Scientific and Public Policy Information Related to Climate Change

From the international level, including 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 has 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 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 and Local Government Response to Climate Change

Washington State has played a leadership role in addressing climate change. ICLEI, Local Governments for Sustainability, assists cities and counties in the U.S. and other countries to address climate change. Many Washington jurisdictions have signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Seattle, King County, Bellingham, and Olympia are among the Washington jurisdictions that have taken a leadership role in addressing climate change.

General Information on Local Governments and Climate Change

Washington State and Regional Governments

Washington Cities and Counties

This section 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

This section addresses SEPA review of climate impacts and other legal issues related to climate change.

Comprehensive Plans addressing Climate Issues

This includes climate elements of comprehensive plans and guidance for policies addressing climate impacts.

Urban Planning Tools for Climate Change Assessment

New tools are being developed to assess the impacts of greenhouse gases on communities.

Local Governments Outside Washington State

These are some model programs from cities and counties in other states.

  • Berkeley, CA Energy and Sustainable Development - Includes Climate Action Plan and related resources 
  • Boulder, CO Climate Action Plan - Useful model for other jurisdictions
  • Climate Action Plans - General website wint information on climate action plans
  • Portland, OR Climate Action Plan, 2009 - Ambitious, far-reaching plan
  • Vancouver, B.C. Climate Protection Action Plans - In partnership with the Cool Vancouver Task Force, a group of community stakeholders, the City has developed two plans to address climate change: the Corporate Climate Change Action Plan, which details how the City of Vancouver will reduce emissions from its own civic operations and facilities, and the Community Climate Change Action Plan, a framework for engaging community climate change action.

Oregon, California, and British Columbia Links on Climate Change

Carbon Trading and Cap and Trade

Emissions trading is an administrative approach used to control pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants. It is also called cap and trade. Carbon trading is emissions trading specifically for carbon dioxide (calculated in tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) and currently makes up the bulk of emissions trading.

A central authority (usually a government or international body) sets a limit or cap on the amount of a pollutant that can be emitted. Companies are issued emission permits and are required to hold an equivalent number of allowances (or credits), which represent the right to emit a specific amount. The total amount of allowances and credits cannot exceed the cap, limiting total emissions to that level. To be effective, cap and trade gradually steps down the “cap” limits over time. Companies that need to increase their emission allowance must buy credits from those who pollute less. The transfer of allowances is referred to as a trade. In effect, the buyer is paying a charge for polluting, while the seller is being rewarded for having reduced emissions by more than was needed. (Definition adapted from Wikipedia)

Washington State has joined the Western Climate Initiative (WSI), a collaborative effort in the U.S. and Canada, to meet regional challenges associated with climate change. In September 2008, the WCI proposed Design Recommendations for the WCI Regional Cap-and-Trade Program (Adobe Acrobat Document).  

Trees and Climate Change

Trees in urban environments can help to mitigate climate impacts.