Climate Change: How vulnerable is the lower Columbia River? And what are we doing about it?
Friday, June 17, 2016, Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver, Washington
The Estuary Partnership hosted our 10th annual Science to Policy Summit, examining the emerging climate change research and its implications for the lower river and estuary. Over one hundred scientists, agency representatives, community leaders, and natural resource practitioners joined the discussion. A panel of scientists presented emerging data about climate change, followed by table discussions on how the lower river's management plan must shift to address these threats.
We were privileged to be joined by the Honorable Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1) and the Honorable Earl Blumenauer (OR-3). Both stressed the need for climate change policy based on sound science. Although unable to attend, the Honorable Maria Cantwell (WA) provided written remarks to share with attendees.
Learn more:
Summit Summary
Summit Presentations
Presenter biographies and abstracts
Background information on our Climate Change Adaptation and Vulnerability Assessments
Agenda
Summit Photos: http://andiepetkus.zenfolio.com/p486647119
Presentations
Speaker: Catherine Corbett, Chief Scientist and Technical Programs Director, Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership
Presentation: Cold Water Refuges Assessment
Speaker: Jan Newton, Senior Principal Oceanographer, University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory
Presentation: Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia
Speaker: Lara Whitely Binder, Senior Strategist, University of Washington Climate Impacts Group
Presentation: Projected Changes in Regional Climate and Hydrology and Sea Level Rise
Speaker: Michael Karnosh, Ceded Lands Program Manager, Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde
Presentation: Climate Change Impacts in the Tribal Cultural Landscape
Speaker: Tony Grover, Fish & Wildlife Division Director, Northwest Power & Conservation Council
Presentation: We Have the Data & Science, It's Time to Act
Science to Policy Summits
- Each summit focuses on a topic that is important to the region.
- A panel of leading experts presents current scientific research.
- The entire group defines the needs of the region.
- We identify a course of action for the Estuary Partnership that will support the regional objectives.