US report: Sea-level rise to swamp Harbor Island, parts of Olympia

   The White House has released what is billed as "the most comprehensive, authoritative report on global climate change impacts in the United States." So, what does it say about how this century's predicted 3- to 10-degree rise in temperatures will affect us here in the Northwest?

   Take a gander at the accompanying maps.  Rising seas are predicted to swamp low-lying areas like Seattle's Harbor Island and parts of Olympia. Yes, it's predicted they'll be under water.

   Says the report :

Sea-level rise along vulnerable coastlines will result in increased erosion and the loss of land.

Climate change is expected to exacerbate many of the stresses and hazards currently facing the coastal zone. Sea-level rise will increase erosion of the coast and cause the loss of beaches and significant coastal land areas. Among the most vulnerable parts of the coast is the heavily populated south Puget Sounds region, which includes the cities of Olympia, Tacoma, and Seattle, Washington.

 

    Whither Olympia and Harbor Island? Well, that remains to be seen. We (and others) have reported before some of the other predicted effects of global warming, which scientists say already are felt to some degree. But here are the other key issues the new report says we're facing in the Northwest:

• Declining springtime snowpack leads to reduced summer streamflows, straining water supplies.
• Increased insect outbreaks, wildfires, and changing species composition in forests will pose challenges for ecosystems and the forest products industry.
• Salmon and other coldwater species will experience additional stresses as a result of rising water temperatures and declining summer streamflow.
•  The projected reduction in snow cover will adversely affect winter recreation and the industries that rely upon it.

  At a press conference, Jane Lubchenco, administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,  called the report "a game changer."

 The bottom line, she said, is "human-induced climate change is a reality, not only in remote polar region and in small tropical islands, but everyplace around the country, in our own back yards."

  "Climate change is happening. It's happening now," Lubchenco said. "It's not just a problem for the future. We're beginning to see the impacts in our daily lives. More than that, humans are responsible for the changes we are seeing and our actions now will determine the extent of future change and the severity of the impacts."

  "It's not too late to act," Lubchenco said. "Decisions made now will determine whether we'll get big changes or small ones."

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  YOUR TURN TO SPEAK:

  How would you fix global warming? Should carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases emitted by vehicles be deemed a threat to public health and fall under tighter regulations? As we reported earlier, you can submit a comment at Regulations.gov.  Deadline is June 23. (Refer to the issue as “Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2009-0171.”)