The Northwest Is Warming, and It’s Not Natural Variability

The northwestern United States has gotten significantly warmer over the last 100 years. Plus, the rate of warming has sped up in three of four seasons. These long-term regional warming trends are closely tied to increases in greenhouse gases, CIRC scientists have found. This “anthropogenic” (human-caused) atmospheric pollution, the researchers say, is a “significant contributor”…

Wetlands Act as Powerful Carbon Sinks

Wetlands in the Pacific Northwest are recognized for providing a variety of ecosystem services ranging from fisheries production to mitigation of flood risk. Now, a new report suggests that estuaries play an important role in managing greenhouse gas emissions. The report, prepared for Restore America’s Estuaries, estimates that wetland losses due to historic land-use changes…