Updated 05/2013
Climate Change
Contents
Introduction
The concern about 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 address climate change in their plans and policies 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 websites that we should link to, please contact Carol Tobin, Planning Consultant 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
- Brookings Institution, Climate Change - Links to related articles
- Center for Climate and Energy Solutions(C2ES) - Comprehensive site of independent nonprofit 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
- The Climate Registry - Nonprofit collaboration that sets consistent, transparent standards throughout North America for businesses and governments to calculate, verify and publicly report their greenhouse gas emissions in a single registry
- The Climate Trust - Nonprofit organization that specializes in climate solutions for governments, utilities, and large businesses
- The Nature Conservancy, Climate Change - Includes general information and activities of The Nature Conservancy to address climate change
- Sightline Climate and Energy - Information from Seattle-based nonprofit research and communication center dedicated to sustainability
Scientific and Public Policy Information Related to Climate Change
From the international level, including the United Nations, to Washington State and local governments, global warming and climate impacts have been the focus of considerable attention in recent years. The Northwest has been on the leading edge of climate issues, from both scientific and public policy perspectives.
International
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - An international body established by the World Meteorological Organization and United Nations Environment Programme to assess scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant for the understanding of climate change, its potential impacts, and options for adaptation and mitigation. The IPCC is the definitive source of mainstream scientific consensus on climate science and projections of climate changes and impacts.
- IPCC Reports - Regular assessment reports of the state of knowledge on climate change
- United Nations - Gateway to the UN Systems Work on Climate Change - UN climate change portal
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
- 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
- Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments (
), Snover, A.K. et al., Climate Impacts Group, King County, and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, 2007. Intended to help local, regional, and state government decision-makers prepare for climate change by recommending a detailed, easy-to-understand process for climate change preparedness based on familiar resources and tools
- Washington Climate Change Impacts Assessment, Final Report, 06/2009. This assessment involved developing updated climate change scenarios for Washington State and using these scenarios to assess the impacts of climate change to the following sectors: agriculture, coasts, energy, forests, human health, urban stormwater infrastructure, salmon, hydrology, and water resources
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 in addressing 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
- ICLEI USA - Membership organization of more than 550 local governments in the U.S. committed to climate protection and sustainability; Assists cities to adopt policies and implement quantifiable measures to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and enhance urban livability and sustainability
- Climate Protection Center, U.S. Conference of Mayors - Provides guidance and assistance in city efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are linked to climate change
- U.S. EPA State and Local Climate and Energy Program - Provides technical assistance, analytical tools, and outreach support to state, local, and tribal governments
- Climate Change, Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN) First-step shop for local government environmental information
- Policy Guide on Planning and Climate Change (), American Planning Association, Updated 04/11/2011
- Growing Wealthier: Smart Growth, Climate Change and Prosperity (15 MB), by Chuck Kooshian and Steve Winkelman, Center for Clean Air Policy, 01/2011
- Shrinking the Carbon Footprint of Metropolitan America, Papers by Marilyn A. Brown, Frank Southworth, and Andrea Sarzynski, Blueprint for American Prosperity, The Brookings Institution, 05/2008
- Cool Cities: Solving Global Warming One City at a Time, Sierra Club - Partnership with U.S. Green Building Council
- Getting Back on Track: Aligning State Transportation Policy with Climate Change Goals (), Smart Growth America and Natural Resources Defense Council, 12/2010
Washington State and Regional Governments
- Western Climate Initiative (WCI) - Collaboration among western states and Canadian provinces to meet regional challenges raised by climate change, including the reduction of greenhouse gases in the region
- Washington State Climate Policy Laws and Executive Orders, Policy Framework (2005-2010) - Summary of all legislation and executive orders passed or issued in Washington State through 2010 that serve to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or otherwise address climate change
- 2013 Legislation - ESSSB 5802, Ch. 6, Laws of 2013 - Greenhouse Gas Emissions--Targets. Regarding the development of recommendations on how to achieve the state's greenhouse gas emissions targets; evaluation report due October 15, 2013
- Climate Change, Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) - The place to start for information on Washington State policy on climate change; also see Climate Change Publications
- 2010 Climate Change Comprehensive Plan - "Path to a Low-Carbon Economy," Report to Gov. Chris Gregoire and the Washington Legislature, 12/2010
- Impacts of Climate Change on Washington's Economy, 12/30/2010
- WA Climate Change List- Sign up for Department of Ecology updates on activities and issues related to climate change in Washington State
- Washington Department of Commerce, Climate Change and Energy
- Sustainable Washington 2009: Planning for Climate Change, Washington Chapter, American Planning Association - Award-winning resource document for planners involved in sustainability and climate change issues; emphasizes actions that planners can take to mitigate the effects of climate change and to adapt to unavoidable impacts associated with global warming
- Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, Climate Protection
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.
- Bellevue Resolution No. 7517 (), 02/2007
- Bellingham Climate Protection Program
- Bothell Cool - Includes links to resolution and Climate Commitment Report
- Clallam County Climate Action Plan (), 04/2009
- Edmonds Climate Action Plan, 02/04/2010
- King County Climate Change Information
- Climate Change - Portal to extensive information about King County's activities in response to climate change
- Annual Sustainability Report, King County Climate Change, Energy, Green Building and Environmental Purchasing Programs
- Kirkland Climate Protection and Kirkland Climate Protection Action Plan (
), 04/2009
- Mountlake Terrace Sustainability Strategy (), adopted 08/04/2008
- Olympia Climate Change - Includes a variety of reports on climate change
- Pierce County Resolution No. 2007-48 () - Regarding climate change issues and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
- Port Townsend and Jefferson County Climate Action Plan (), adopted 11/14/2011
- Seattle Climate Protection - Includes updates to Climate Action Plan and other useful information
- Skagit County
- Snohomish County Executive Order 07-48 on Climate Change and Sustainability
- Tacoma
- Whatcom County Climate Change Action and Climate Protection and Energy Conservation Action Plan (), 09/2007
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.
- Model Policies for Greenhouse Gases in General Plans (), California CAPCOA, 06/2009 - Model policies developed for California communities but applicable to Washington city and county comprehensive plans as well
- Bellingham Comprehensive Plan, Ch. 9 Environmental Element, Part 6 - Climate Change Adaptation
- Edmonds Comprehensive Plan, Community Sustainability Element (), 2009
- Seattle Comprehensive Plan, Environmental Element, 11.5E Climate Change ()
- King County Comprehensive Plan 2008, Ch. 4, Environment, II. Climate Change ()
- Lynnwood Comprehensive Plan Energy and Sustainability Element ()
Local Governments Outside Washington State
These are some model programs from cities and counties in other states.
Oregon, California, and British Columbia Links on Climate Change
- Oregon
- California
- British Columbia
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 (WCI), 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 ().
Trees and Climate Change
Forests and trees in urban environments can help to mitigate climate impacts.