EarthLab News
What one of Seattle’s hottest starts to July means for the rest of summer
After a rather cool June, July began with a ravenous desire to make up ground, kick-starting summer conditions across Western Washington with over a week of above-average temperatures, the hottest day since the hottest day ever in 2021 and record daytime and overnight highs. Karin Bumbaco, the deputy state climatologist at the University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group, is quoted.
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Climate Impacts Group releases new strategic plan
The Climate Impacts Group has released a new strategic plan to guide the next five years of their work. Among several key priorities, the strategic plan reflects a commitment to centering equity in climate adaptation, with particular attention to environmental justice and community resilience. “This marks a really important moment for the Climate Impacts Group,” Jason Vogel, interim director of the Climate Impacts Group, says. “Demands for climate services are both increasing and evolving, and there is increasing acknowledgement of the need to center the priorities of frontline and marginalized communities. We have an exciting opportunity to push the boundaries of climate services and define for ourselves and others what it looks like to work in partnership to support equitable climate adaptation. Our strategic plan will help us rise to meet this important moment.”
Read moreHeat-Related Emergencies Are Soaring in the U.S. Can Hospitals Keep Up?
Dr. Jeremy Hess, Director of EarthLab Member Organization CHanGE, quoted in an article from The New York Times.
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Can a new version of Catan, the cult-favorite board game, make climate change fun to talk about?
“It’s just more evidence that people have climate change at the top of their minds now,” said Dargan Frierson, an atmospheric sciences professor at the University of Washington, who leads Earth Games (for which EarthLab cosponsors the Climate Game Jam), a climate game design group on campus. Even though people are often hesitant to talk about climate change — according to a 2022 report, 67 percent of Americans “rarely” or “never” discuss it with friends and family — they really want to, he said. “There’s demand for ways to think about it, deal with it, in fun ways.”
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Announcing the Climate Justice Visual Arts Contest Winners
Today, EarthLab announced the winners of our inaugural UW Undergraduate Visual Arts Competition, celebrating unique artistic interpretations of environmental and climate justice. This contest encouraged University of Washington students across all campuses and disciplines to create art that reflects their perspectives on these critical issues. The competition aimed to elevate awareness of environmental justice, promote diverse student voices, and highlight the intersection of art, environment, and community.
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Dr. Guillaume Mauger named Washington State Climatologist
Dr. Guillaume Mauger has been named the next director of the Office of the Washington State Climatologist. Mauger’s appointment began earlier this month. Mauger succeeds Dr. Nick Bond, who retired from the role in February after nearly 14 years. Karin Bumbaco, deputy state climatologist, served as interim state climatologist from February to May.
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Athena Bertolino awarded for outstanding community impact
The UW College of the Environment awarded Athena Bertolino, Future Rivers program manager and member of EarthLab core team, the 2024 award for outstanding community impact. The Awards Committee was impressed with the breadth and depth of Athena’s work and the impact that she has, which was highlighted in her nomination letters. Her nominators note that she is absolutely essential to the success and impact of Future Rivers; she is completely dedicated to making the UW and College of the Environment a world leader in transdisciplinary environmental science research and education; her extraordinary commitment to excellence; and her ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice through programs, trainings and continuous improvement opportunities.
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MLIS Capstone team helps EarthLab show its impact
At its core, the goal of the University of Washington EarthLab is easy enough to explain. EarthLab connects various communities, sectors and disciplines with the UW to create equitable solutions to climate change. Understanding the big picture of how the EarthLab does that work, however, and seeing how the pieces connect, is more complicated.
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NW CASC is Hiring a Research Scientist!
The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center is hiring a full-time research scientist to coordinate the Northwest Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (NW RISCC) Network and to lead the planning and implementation of our Actionable Science Deep Dives.
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Scientists want to know how the smells of nature benefit our health
Spending time in nature is good for us. Studies have shown that contact with nature can lift our well-being by affecting emotions, influencing thoughts, reducing stress and improving physical health. A new paper led by Dr. Gregory Bratman, director of EarthLab member organization Nature and Health, outlines ways to expand research into how odors and scents from natural settings impact our health and well-being.
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