Understanding Climate Impacts on PNW Water
Understanding Climate Impacts on PNW Water: Connecting Climate Change to Local Water Realities
This in-person symposium will connect regional climate science with the water challenges already affecting Pacific Northwest communities. Speakers will explore how rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, declining snowpack, and climate variability—including the strong El Niño event still under development—are reshaping the timing and availability of water across the region. Presentations will examine drought, flooding, streamflow, water quality, and the cascading consequences for drinking water, agriculture, salmon and aquatic ecosystems, frontline communities, and environmental justice.
The symposium will also highlight how communities are responding to these interconnected challenges and what stronger, more equitable water resilience can look like in practice. We will also examine current policy implications, emerging opportunities, and ways individuals and organizations can support long-term water security and climate resilience throughout the Pacific Northwest, followed by a moderated discussion.
Featured speakers:
Guillaume Mauger, PhD - State Climatologist, UW Climate Impacts Group https://cig.uw.edu/about/people/guillaume-mauger/
Paulina Lopez - Executive Director, Duwamish River Community Coalition https://www.drcc.org/staff
Chris Wilke - Executive Director, Center for Environmental Law & Policy https://celp.org/about-us/staff/
Moderator:
“Jacky” Chen Xu, PhD - Hydrologist/Climate Scientist, WSU jackychenxu
Co-hosted by Chris Wilke and “Jacky” Chen Xu, PhD.
By registering for this event, you agree to share your information with the event organizers, PNW Climate Week, and Climatebase / the Climate Week Network. You may receive updates from these organizations, and can opt out at any time in accordance with their respective privacy policies.
Photo credit: Tom Ring