5th National Climate Assessment (NCA5)

The NCA5 Overview chapter webinar is an opportunity for you to hear about the overarching findings of the NCA5. This virtual one-hour event is scheduled from 3:00 to 4:00 pm Eastern time (12-1 Pacific), with time for Q&A. Click the button below to watch the livestream!

Cascadia Consulting Group and the Climate Impacts Group will held an informational webinar covering the Northwest Chapter of the Fifth National Climate Assessment on November 30. The webinar focused on the significance of the report for Washington, and included information about climate action by Washington State agencies. The webinar recording is now available. Copy and paste the following passcode to access: j!8N*?27

This virtual 1-hour webinar with Q&A is an opportunity for you to hear about the Northwest Region findings from the authors themselves. The call will take place on Wednesday November 15 from 3:00 – 4:00 PM Eastern time (12:00 – 1:00 PM Pacific). Click the button below to learn more and/or register.

Ongoing systemic oppression disproportionately exposes frontline communities in the Northwest to the consequences of extreme heat, flooding, and wildfire smoke and other climate hazards. Frontline communities often have fewer resources to cope with and adapt to climate change but have been leaders in developing climate solutions. Actions that prioritize climate justice and redirect investments to frontline communities can advance regional resilience.

Ecosystems are expected to change as the climate continues to change and as the magnitude and frequency of extreme events increases. Some human activities reduce ecosystem resilience and the adaptive capacity of species. These human activities are expected to exacerbate many effects of climate change. Human efforts to enable ecological adaptation are expected to improve ecosystem functions and services and reduce exposure to climate-related hazards.

Climate change impacts to the Northwest’s natural resource– and outdoor-dependent economies will be variable, given the diversity of industries, land cover, and climatic zones. Impacts to these industries will have cascading effects on community livelihoods and well-being. While some industries and resource-dependent communities are resilient to climate related stresses, economic responses to climate change can benefit affected industries, workers, and livelihoods.

Recent extreme events have stressed water systems and housing, transportation, and energy infrastructure across the Northwest. Extreme precipitation, droughts, and heatwaves will intensify due to climate change and continue to threaten these interrelated systems. An impact or a response within one sector can cascade to other sectors. Cross-sectoral planning can increase resilience to future climate variability and extremes.

The Northwest’s climate has historically been temperate and relatively mild, but shifting weather patterns associated with climate change are adversely affecting physical, mental, and community health. The incidence of illnesses and death during extreme heat events and wildfire smoke days is increasing, and climate change is stressing health systems. Climate-related health risks disproportionately affect certain individuals and groups. Climate resilience efforts can improve health, especially among the most vulnerable populations.

Climate change has disrupted sense of place in the Northwest, affecting noneconomic values such as proximity and access to nature and residents’ feelings of security and stability. Place-based communities, including Tribes, face additional challenges from climate change because of cultural and economic relationships with their local. Leveraging local or Indigenous Knowledge and value systems can spur climate action to ensure that local heritage and sense of place persist for future generations.