Impacts of Climate Change on Washington’s Economy : A Preliminary Assessment of Risks and Opportunities
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Date
2006-11
Authors
Bauman, Yoram
Doppelt, Bob
Mazze, Sarah, 1977-
Wolf, Edward C.
Climate Leadership Initiative
Washington Economic Steering Committee
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Ecology and Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, State of Washington
Abstract
In early 2006, Washington’s Department of Community, Trade, and Economic
Development and Department of Ecology commissioned the Climate Leadership
Initiative (CLI) at the University of Oregon to analyze the current and likely future
effects of global climate change on Washington’s economy. The assessment was
launched at a symposium at SeaTac airport on May 4, 2006 at which scientists,
economists, and stakeholders shared and discussed current research on the topic.
With oversight from a steering committee comprising economists and scientists
from Washington universities, the private sector, and government, a CLI research
team spent six months evaluating research and information about the economic
effects of climate change in Washington and the Pacific Northwest.
The team reached three conclusions about the effects of climate change on
Washington’s economy:
1. Climate change impacts are visible in Washington State and their economic
effects are becoming apparent.
2. The economic effects of climate change in Washington will grow over time
as temperatures and sea levels rise.
3. Although climate change will mean increasing economic effects, it also
opens the door to new economic opportunities.
Scientists expect the Pacific Northwest climate to warm approximately 0.5ºF every
ten years over the next several decades, a rate more than three times faster than the
warming experienced during the twentieth century.
Description
122 p.
Keywords
Climatic changes -- Economic aspects -- Washington (State), Climate change