Research

Integrated Assessment

Current Research

The overarching goals of the Climate Impacts Group’s (CIG) efforts in integrated assessment in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) are:

1. to develop more fully integrated vertical and horizontal assessment within and among all CIG research sectors (water, forests, salmon, and coasts) and for the region as a whole;
2. to place projected regional impacts of climate change into perspective, e.g., within the broader regional context and/or within the context of other human-caused effects; and
3. to develop enhanced tools for communication and outreach.

Our current projects include:

Washington Climate Change Impacts Assessment

• In July 2007, the Climate Impacts Group (CIG) launched an unprecedented assessment of climate change impacts on Washington State. The final report is expected in March 2009.

Rhythms of Change: Climate Impacts on the Pacific Northwest

• Rhythms of Change: Climate Impacts on the Pacific Northwest. CIG is currently revising a book detailing the ways in which the natural resources and the human socioeconomic systems of the PNW are affected by and could better cope with the region’s climate. By describing the strategies, methods and experiences of CIG, Rhythms of Change is also intended to offer a guide for performing regional climate impacts assessments.

Developing Qualitative and Quantitative Methods of Integration

• CIG is developing in-house geographical information system (GIS) capability to support research on integrated assessment, aid communication within CIG, enhance external communication, and undergird decision-support tools for regional stakeholders.