IN FOCUS: National report reinforces importance of Washington’s climate resilience work.
This spring, the warmest May in Washington state history forced an early end to Washington’s snowpack, leading to a statewide drought advisory in July and a drought emergency for many parts of the state. May through July was the fourth driest in state history. Then, in August, devastating fires tore through communities around Spokane. And even with the rains returning in the fall, conditions remained both warmer and drier than typical.
Is this the “new normal”? If the future brings more of the same, will we be prepared? With so many challenges, how can we prioritize our efforts and our investments in building a more resilient state? These are the kinds of questions a new national report is designed to help answer.
The National Climate Assessment stands as a comprehensive and sobering analysis of the current and future effects of climate change, including the impacts we’re already seeing here in the Northwest.
As we navigate the complex web of challenges, Washington state is taking steps to prepare for, respond to, and recover from current and projected climate impacts across the state. The Washington Department of Ecology is at the forefront of our state’s climate resilience work, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.
The National Climate Assessment
The assessment is a product of collaboration among scientists, experts, and federal agencies, intended to provide an in-depth understanding of the climate challenges facing the U.S.
Released at a critical time, the latest assessment highlights the urgency of addressing climate change and underscores the need for immediate action. From rising temperatures and extreme weather events to the impacts on ecosystems and human health, the report paints a stark picture of our current reality and the potential consequences if we fail to act.
“The National Climate Assessment reinforces the risks we face from climate change — and the harmful impacts we’re already experiencing,” said Jennifer Hennessey, Ecology’s special assistant on climate resilience. “It highlights the importance of all of us doing our part to reduce the harmful impacts of climate change on people, our livelihoods, and environment.”
Climate risks in the Northwest
The report stressed the need for faster and deeper cuts in greenhouse gas emissions globally, as well as accelerated adaptation efforts; otherwise, severe climate risks to the U.S. will continue to grow. And it reinforced the importance of the work we’re doing at Ecology and in Washington state to reduce emissions and to advance climate resilience.
The effects of human-caused climate change are already far-reaching and getting worse in every region of the U.S., not just here in the Northwest. By continuing to implement Ecology’s climate work, we can do our part to reverse these trends and to better prepare our communities, infrastructure, and environment to protect them from the worst impacts.
In the report, Chapter 27 focuses specifically on projected impacts in the Pacific Northwest — Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. From the website:
“Extreme heat, flooding, wildfires, and other climate hazards threaten human health, sense of place, ecosystems, infrastructure, and industries in the Northwest. Impacts across sectors will have cascading effects on livelihoods and well-being, with Tribes and other frontline communities facing disproportionate risks. Adaptation actions that prioritize social equity and utilize local and Indigenous Knowledge can support regional resilience.”
The report also underlines that:
Climate change exacerbates existing social, economic, and health inequities. And climate action offers the opportunity to build a more just and resilient nation.
Regional economies and livelihoods are threatened by damages to natural resources, intensifying extremes, and impacts to infrastructure systems.
Climate change impacts aren’t evenly distributed. Disruptions caused by climate change impact heritage and sense of place for many Northwest Tribes and overburdened communities.
"Climate impacts often hit communities of color, low-income communities, and vulnerable populations first and worst,” Hennessey said. “These same communities struggle to recover from climate fueled events like flooding or extreme heat, or to take actions that reduce, prevent, or help them withstand climate impacts.”
Addressing climate pollution
Under Washington state law, Ecology is working to reduce carbon pollution 95% by 2050 — and to offset the remaining 5%. Ecology also is leading work to more closely monitor air quality in some of our most vulnerable communities — and to ensure that in addition to cutting carbon pollution, we're working to reduce other forms of air pollution as well.
The most important tool Washington has to meet the state's greenhouse gas reduction targets is the new cap-and-invest program, created under the Climate Commitment Act. This market-based approach sets an overall cap on emissions, and then requires major sources of carbon pollution to obtain allowances to cover their emissions. Some of these allowances are sold at quarterly auctions, which have already raised almost $1.5 billion in 2023.
That funding is critical to Washington’s climate resilience efforts by supporting investments in restoring habitats, reducing flood risks, improving stormwater infrastructure, protecting shorelines, and improving forest health.
Washington's climate resilience initiatives
Amidst these challenges, the Washington Legislature recognized the need for a coordinated approach to tackling these challenges, passing a law earlier this year that directs Ecology to update the state's Climate Resilience Strategy.
In partnership with nine other state agencies — the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Fish and Wildlife, Health, Natural Resources, and Transportation, as well as the Washington Emergency Management Division, Washington State Conservation Commission, and the Puget Sound Partnership — we’re working to update the strategy, which will guide state efforts to address:
Climate impacts to support healthy and safe communities.
Designing and building infrastructure that can withstand floods, droughts, wildfires, and sea level rise.
The restoration of ecosystems that can adapt to changing surroundings, protecting threatened salmon and other wildlife susceptible to climate change.
Community engagement
This isn’t just an exercise for state agencies; this work affects everyone in Washington.
We'll host three listening sessions to hear input from individuals, communities, and organizations across the state. These listening sessions will be held virtually via Zoom on Dec. 5, 6, and 7.
A survey is open to collect public input. It closes Jan. 12, 2024.
The listening sessions and survey aim to provide opportunities for Ecology staff to listen and learn from individuals and communities about the most pressing climate risks they face; challenges and opportunities in responding to and preparing for these risks; and their vision for a more climate-resilient Washington.
We’ll ask:
What climate change impacts are you most concerned about?
What are the biggest needs and opportunities in preparing for, responding to, or adapting to these impacts?
What is your vision for a more climate-resilient Washington?
As the National Climate Assessment sounds the alarm on the urgent need for climate action, Washington can serve as a model of how taking climate resilience seriously can protect our health, our environment and our economy in the face of an uncertain future.
“By prioritizing climate resilience, we’re helping people better prepare for and overcome the damage climate change is already causing to communities around our state,” Hennessey said. “Being prepared, having plans in place, making investments now instead of waiting to respond to a crisis — these are all steps that will help us build a more prosperous, sustainable and equitable future for all Washingtonians.”
IN FOCUS: DNR Plans Public Meeting for Proposed Exchange of Commercial Properties.
The transaction would swap an unoccupied office building in Issaquah managed by DNR for a grocery store in Bellingham
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is planning a public meeting in mid-December to discuss a proposed land exchange involving commercial properties in King and Whatcom counties.
The proposed transaction would see DNR transfer a 3.26-acre lot in Issaquah with a vacant commercial building on it and receive a 4.09-acre parcel in Bellingham that has a leased grocery store and parking lot. The newly acquired parcel would also support the Common School Trust, which helps fund K-12 school construction statewide.
DNR will hold a public meeting to share information and receive testimony from the public at 5:30 p.m. December 14 at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Mount Baker Room, 714 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham. Public comment is welcome at the meeting, or it can be submitted via email to exchanges@dnr.wa.gov or in writing through December 28; attendance at the meeting is not mandatory to submit comment.
Following the evaluation of hearing testimony and a property appraisal, DNR will finalize the exchange proposal to present to the Board of Natural Resources for a final decision at one of its regularly scheduled monthly meetings. The Board meeting provides an additional opportunity for public comment.
All prospective meeting attendees are asked to stay home if they have a fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, or exposure to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
More information is available about the transaction, including a map of the parcels, at dnr.wa.gov/managed-lands/land-transactions/i-90-lake-place-b-exchange.
CANDIDATE LAND EXCHANGE PROPERTIES
Washington State to RCO Capital: The Land referred to herein below is situated in the County of King, State of Washington, and is described as follows:
A portion of Parcel A, Short Plat No. SP-83-01, recorded August 22, 1983, as Recording No. 8308220868, records of King County, Washington, and being situated in the North one-half of the North one-half of the Southeast quarter of Section 20, Township 24 North, Range 6 East of the Willamette Meridian, in King County, Washington and being more particularly described as follows: Commencing at the Northeast corner of said Section 20; thence South 89°41'43" West, along the North line of said Section 20, said North line also being the centerline of SE 56th Street, a distance of 1933.03 feet; thence South 0°18'17" East 30.00 feet to a point of intersection of said margin with the Northeasterly line of Parcel A of the City of Issaquah Short Plat No. SP-83-01; thence South 53°53'43" East, along said Northeasterly line, 245.50 feet to the true point of beginning; thence continuing South 53°53'43" East 284.01 feet to an angle point in said line; thence continuing South 0°18'17" East, along the East line of said Parcel A, 384.38 feet to the Northeasterly margin of Primary State Highway No. 2; thence North 66°40'54" West, along said margin, 292.18 feet; thence continuing along said margin North 59°16'29" West 190.99 feet; thence North 30°42'00" East 393.67 feet to the point of beginning. (Also known as New Lot B of City of Issaquah Lot Line Adjustment recorded May 31, 1991 as Recording No. 9105310059, in King County, Washington.)
RCO Capital to Washington State:
Parcel A: Tracts 2 and 4, "Bellingham Marketplace Short Plat," Whatcom County, Washington, according to the plat thereof, recorded in Volume 22 of Short Plats, Pages 94 and 95, Records of Whatcom County, Washington, being a portion of the northeast quarter of Section 6, Township 37 North, Range 3 East of W.M., and the southeast quarter of Section 31 Township 38 North, Range 3 East of W.M. situate in Whatcom County, Washington.
Parcel B: A non-exclusive easements for ingress and egress created by reciprocal easement agreement between Bellingham Marketplace Associates Limited Partnership and Briar Development Company, dated June 21, 1991, recorded July 2, 1991, under Recording Number 910702171, Records of the Auditor’s Office of Whatcom County, Washington, with respect to tracts 1 and 3, "Bellingham Marketplace Short Plat," Whatcom County, Washington, according to the plat thereof, recorded in Volume 22 of Short Plats, Pages 94 and 95, Records of Whatcom County, Washington and amended by instruments recorded under Whatcom County Recording Nos. 910702174, 911011189, and 2060904325 situate in Whatcom County, Washington.
Ref. https://www.dnr.wa.gov/news/dnr-plans-public-meeting-proposed-exchange-commercial-properties
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS
Clallam County Work session for 12/4/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12042023-1012
Clallam County Commission meeting for 12/5/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12052023-1013
Clallam County Homeless task force meeting for 12/5/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12052023-1009
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 12/5/23
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/13867/12052023-CC-Packet
JEFFERSON COUNTY:
Jefferson County Commission meeting 12/4/23
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/7fbea328-58ac-440c-9d6c-f0f6703dc38a
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA FOR 12/4/23
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=3547
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: Hebrews 1:1-2 (New International Version)
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
Weekly Bible Lesson: Glorious Church of Christ
“Christ…loved the church, and gave himself for it…That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25, 27). This is a description of the Lord’s church. God describes it as a “glorious church” because He is its Divine Architect. It is ruled by the glorified Christ who is with God in Heaven.--TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/glorious-church-of-christ
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
The Chosen: About the life of Christ
https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen
THIS WEEK'S VIDEOS
Glenn Beck DEBUNKS Biden's LIES About Inflation and the Border Crisis.
The polls are in, and the two issues Americans are most concerned about right now are the economy and lawless immigration. And the gaslighting on these two issues from the Biden administration is insulting and manipulative. The administration and their friends in the mainstream media say “the economy is fine! What’s everyone complaining about?!” or “We’ve got the border under control! Trump’s treatment of migrants was far worse!” But you know the truth in your bones. We all do because we’re feeling and seeing the pain of both issues at home and in our cities. But if there’s a part of you that starts to believe these lies, it’s because you’re being gaslit. Glenn explains the origins of that word and shows scenes from the 1944 film “Gaslight,” whose plot reveals a husband’s attempts to make his wife think she’s going crazy. Fast-forward to 2023: Biden is OUR manipulative husband. We are being lied to about the state of the economy. We are being lied to about what is really happening at the border. Glenn reveals the REAL numbers, and some of them are downright terrifying …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUdYnokc8Jc
Sunday Bible Class - 2/12/2023/ FOUR LAKES C. of C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soQlbaXF01g
Jet (2010 Remaster)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwRXxtwcJus&list=OLAK5uy_kPjAbFvb9QdwWoKqEXHt8tUgfzkgUeUFY
NIGHT OWL COMICS PRESENTS: THE ANICENTS
The Ancients
Chapter two: Jupiter's Road to destiny
Time frame: The age of Aquarius
By, Peter Ripley (aka Peter Leo on IMVU.com)
Vulcan ask Minerva for a favor
Jupiter found out who she's been seeing, so he sent spies to get information about Vulcan. Whom they found out that he was an artist, and gambled a lot, who had gambling debts, to some local thugs, and he used a loan shark in paying off some of those debts.
Jupiter after hearing these reports, he concluded in his mind, this Vulcan was only using his wife to get money from her because of her connection to him, he had no way to prove it, as of yet, but he figured she becoming back soon asking for money, something Jupiter couldn't deny her because of his love for her. He thought if he could make her see what Vulcan was doing she'd come back to him.
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
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