After the Forum

A Community Forum on Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest

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The events held on January 30th focused on bringing communities together through the help of colleges and universities to find solutions to global warming issues.


If you have a question that wasn't answered at the event, contact us. We'll post answers to the most common questions and themes.


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Burning Community Questions Answered!

What goals does Washington State have for reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

Note that these goals are not sufficient to reach the levels scientists say are necessary to prevent dangerous climate change. Emission reductions of at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 are required. The European Union is committed to reducing 20% below 1990 levels by 2020.

– KC Golden, Climate Solutions Policy Director


How can progressive states like Washington put pressure on states with less environmental focus?

The Western Climate Initiative includes both kinds of states, so that collaborative effort will be critical.  The best way to put pressure on others to reduce emissions is to make strong emission reduction commitments and deliver on those commitments, while building our own clean energy economy and reaping the benefits of reduced fossil fuel dependence.

 – KC Golden, Climate Solutions Policy Director


Would raising fuel efficiency standards cut it or should we be working toward replacing cars with mass transit?

Both are essential. To achieve 80% emission reductions in the transportation sector, we will need cleaner fuels, more efficient cars, and better alternatives to cars.  Land use laws that discourage sprawl are also essential.

– KC Golden, Climate Solutions Policy Director


I want a 'green' job how do I get one?

Ask any prospective employer what they are doing to reduce their own emissions, improve transportation choices for their employees, etc.  Look for the green jobs guide I co-authored with Dr. James Hendrix and Bronwyn Llewellyn, due out March 1st, 2008. 
Visit:  http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?r=1&ean=9781598698725

– KC Golden, Climate Solutions Policy Director


With decreased snow pack and increased population demands in upcoming years, what is the plan to store water run-off; which mountain valleys are we planning to turn into reservoirs?

Washington certainly has a challenge with respect to water storage. Unlike the Colorado River system, where the dams are capable of storing roughly 300% of annual runoff, storage on the Columbia River system is limited to about 30% of annual stream flow runoff and storage in the Washington Cascades is limited to about 5-10% of annual stream flow runoff. It is important to remember, however, that dams are good tools for coping with short-term drought (seasonal to a few years, depending on storage capacity) related to natural variability. Climate change presents a change in long-term average conditions that we in all likelihood cannot build enough storage to compensate for. Additionally, dams are difficult to build these days because of cost, legal limitations, and the lack of good sites for large projects (most of those were taken in the dam building hey-day of the 1930s-1960s). Therefore, compensating the for the impacts of climate change is going to require a multi-faceted approach that includes conservation, changes in reservoir operations, water reuse, aquifer storage and recovery, and other options. The only plans I know for new reservoirs is the Black Rock Canyon project, which has been proposed for the Yakima Valley. It is a $4 billion dollar project that is currently being assessed for feasibility. I’ve heard that there are 3 other potential dam projects but I do not know where they are. 

– Lara Whitely Binder, University of Washington Climate Impacts Group


Some groups still deny that global warming is even occurring.  What is being done to educate people about this growing problem?

There will always be some people who do not believe climate change is occurring or that it is a problem. The flood of information from the media and public events like Focus the Nation has certainly helped sway people who were on the fence. I think we need to make sure we (as a society) continue to support funding for the monitoring systems that are so critical for detecting and evaluating change as it occurs, and continue putting pressure on elected officials and other decisions makers (including CEOs) about how they are dealing with climate change. We need to focus on the agents of change. In our group, this comes down to continued regular interactions with decision makers on this issue, including lots of presentations, and helping them understand how climate change affects our region.

 – Lara Whitely Binder, University of Washington Climate Impacts Group


As noted, the youth awareness of climate change is exploding. However, there still seems to be a disconnect between youth and law makers responsible for the policy changes necessary to fight climate change.  Any thoughts on how to confront this?

One idea might be to become active in political campaigns and bring your concerns up to the candidate.

 –  Senator Dan Swecker, 20nd Legislative District