U of W Scientist to Discuss Climate Change Impact Adaptations

Lara Whitely Binder – Contributed photo

Learn how climate variability and global climate change impacts the Pacific Northwest from University of Washington researcher Lara Whitely Binder at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 24 at the San Juan Island Grange.

As Outreach and Climate Adaptation Specialist for the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group (CIG), Whitely Binder will discuss CIG’s goal to increase the resilience of the Pacific Northwest to fluctuations in climate. Current research focuses on water resources, aquatic and marine ecosystems, forests and coasts.

This presentation is the fourth program in The Climate Action Imperative: Understanding Impacts & Making Choices, a summer speakers’ series featuring eight experts on Climate Change—from oceanographers to botanists, biologists to meteorologists.　The series provides a current look at climate change and what actions are warranted by individuals as well as by our state and nation. For information about Whitely Binder’s program and the series, call 360-378-2240, ext. 2227 or 360-378-6690 or visit our web sites at www.nps.gov/sajh or www.madrona.org.

Whitely Binder assists the CIG with its efforts to disseminate information to decision makers on the impacts of climate variability and climate change on the Pacific Northwest, and to support them on use of this information. From 2011-2012, she served as the facilitator for the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification that focused on documenting the current state of scientific knowledge. She explored ways to advance our scientific understanding of the effects of ocean acidification, reduce harmful effects on Washington’s shellfish and other marine resources, and adapt to the impacts of acidified waters.

The CIG is an interdisciplinary research group funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Program Office with additional financial and technical support provided by the University of Washington.

As with all talks in the series, Whitely Binder’s presentation will be followed by a discussion.

Series co-sponsors are: San Juan Island National Historical Park, Madrona Institute, San Juan Islands Conservation District, The League of Women Voters of the San Juans, San Juan Island Library, San Juan Nature Institute, San Juan County Marine Resources Committee, Northwest Straits Foundation, Stewardship Network of the San Juans, Washington State University Extension Service, San Juan Island Grange #966 and the Agricultural Resources Committee of the San Juan Islands.

The next scheduled speaker is Dr. Nicholas Bond, Research Meteorologist for the Joint Institute for the Study of Atmosphere and Ocean for the University of Washington. The program is scheduled for 7 p.m., July 31 at the San Juan Island Grange.

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