State Climate Change Policy: Mitigating, Preparing, Adapting W. Spencer Reeder WA Dept. of Ecology March, 2009

“Our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment, and promote the wise management of our air, land and water.”

-Governor Gregoire’s Executive Order: 2007 Climate Change Challenge -Preparation & Adaptation Work Groups (2007) Forestry, Agriculture, Human Health, Coastal/Infrastructure, Water Resources and Quality -Governor Gregoire’s Executive Order: 2007 Climate Change Challenge -Preparation & Adaptation Work Groups (2007) Forestry, Agriculture, Human Health, Coastal/Infrastructure, Water Resources and Quality

Washington’s Climate Change Challenge Executive Order Specific climate change goals “…in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders to develop a climate change initiative,…” “Determine specific steps… to prepare for the… impacts to public health, agriculture, the coast line, forestry, and infrastructure.” “…policy options that can maximize the efficiency of emission reductions including market-based systems,… and incentives;” “Work with… local governments…”

Specific WA Targets By 2020 reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels By 2035 reduce emissions to 25% below 1990 levels By 2050 reduce emissions to 50% below 1990 levels By 2020 increase the number of clean energy sector jobs to 25,000 from the 8,400 jobs in 2004 By 2020 reduce expenditures by 20% on fuel imported into the state

Statutory Emission Reductions 6

Residential, Commercial and Industrial Fuel Use 20% Washington State 2005 GHG Emissions 7 Electricity Consumed 20% Agriculture 6% Industrial processing 4% Waste 3% Transportation 47%

Washington’s Emissions Profile *2005 estimates RCI = Residential, Commercial, Industrial

WA State Stakeholder Process Technical Working Groups Transportation Forestry Energy Supply Residential, Commercial and Industrial Agriculture Preparation/Adaptation Work Groups Water Resources and Quality Coastal/Infrastructure Forestry Agriculture Human Health Climate Advisory/Action Team Education and Engagement Mitigation Governor Gregoire

WA State Stakeholder Process Technical Working Groups Transportation Forestry Energy Supply Residential, Commercial and Industrial Agriculture Preparation/Adaptation Work Groups Water Resources and Quality Coastal/Infrastructure Forestry Agriculture Human Health Climate Advisory/Action Team Education and Engagement Mitigation Governor Gregoire Beyond Waste Energy Efficiency & Green Bldg Transportation SEPA Beyond Waste Energy Efficiency & Green Bldg Transportation SEPA Implementation Work Groups 2008

PAWG Report High Level Recommendations - Early actions are needed while we improve scientific knowledge - Monitoring and adaptive management is required - Biological functions and processes are center of attention - Regional collaboration will allow for a more efficient response - Early actions are needed while we improve scientific knowledge - Monitoring and adaptive management is required - Biological functions and processes are center of attention - Regional collaboration will allow for a more efficient response Adaptation Themes: Adaptation Strategic Areas: - Emergency Planning, Preparedness & Response; Monitoring; Education/Outreach & Engagement; Institutional Flexibility

Coastal PAWG Recommendations - Incorporate best available information - Revise state land use & shoreline planning statutes - Pursue state funding for pilot projects -Utilize Flood Control Assistance Account Program - Incorporate best available information - Revise state land use & shoreline planning statutes - Pursue state funding for pilot projects -Utilize Flood Control Assistance Account Program

Coastal PAWG Recommendations -Inform property purchases regarding risks -Incorporate future projections o Infrastructure, Habitat reclamation, Toxic Cleanup -Improve mapping -Develop Guidelines for local Gov’t -Inform property purchases regarding risks -Incorporate future projections o Infrastructure, Habitat reclamation, Toxic Cleanup -Improve mapping -Develop Guidelines for local Gov’t

February 4 th 2006 Storm Event examples of impacts…

Data / Research -Regional Climate Models / Projections -Flood Plain Maps (FEMA) -Land Elevations / Topography / Bathymetry -Monitoring / Vulnerability Assessments Needs

Data / Research -Regional Climate Models / Projections -Flood Plain Maps (FEMA) -Land Elevations / Topography / Bathymetry -Monitoring / Vulnerability Assessments Needs Policy -Avoid Inconsistencies & Conflicts between: Planning/Permitting Mechanisms Land Use Regulations Enforcement Strategies

1) global/regional ice & freshwater inputs 2) global/regional temperature & salinity 3) regional atmospheric & ocean processes 4) local geodynamics (tectonic & isostatic) Estimates

global sea level (IPCC AR4, Fig. 5.13)

Figure from IPCC (2007)

Assessment Report

BC Storm Surge Model (operational)

Fraser River Delta 126 kms of sea dikes protecting 220,000 people at or below sea level in Richmond & Delta. –Sinking delta ~ 1-3 mm/yr Long term sea level rise increases risk of dike breach during extreme event

Needs

“Without a much improved comprehension of the many processes and their feedbacks, predictions of future sea level change will be characterized by large uncertainty.”

Regional Efforts Underway BC-WA MOU on sea level rise West Coast Governor’s Agreement on Ocean Health National Academy of Sciences West Coast SLR Study Pacific Coast Collaborative Western Climate Initiative

Part 2