1. Introduction: The Changing Northwest. 1.1 Regional Introduction: The Physical, Ecological, and Social Template. 1.2 A Focus on Risk. 1.3 Looking Toward the Future. 1.4 Conclusion -- 2. Climate: Variability and Change In the Past and the Future. 2.1 Understanding Global and Regional Climate Change. 2.2 Past Changes in Northwest Climate: Means. 2.3 Past Changes in Northwest Climate: Extremes. 2.4 Projected Future Changes in the Northwest -- 3. Water Resources: Implications of Changes in Temperature and Precipitation. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Key Impacts. 3.3 Consequences for Specific Sectors. 3.4 Adaptation. 3.5 Knowledge Gaps and Research Needs -- 4. Coasts: Complex Changes Affecting the Northwest's Diverse Shorelines. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Sea Level Rise. 4.3 Ocean Acidification. 4.4 Ocean Temperature. 4.5 Consequences for Coastal and Marine Natural Systems. 4.6 Consequences for Coastal Communities and the Built Environment. 4.7 Economic Consequences of Coastal Impacts. 4.8 Adaptation. 4.9 Knowledge Gaps and Research Needs -- 5. Forests Ecosystems: Vegetation, Disturbance, and Economics. 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Direct Climate Sensitivities: Changes in Distribution, Abundance, and Function of Plant Communities and Species. 5.3 Indirect Effects of Climate Change through Forest Disturbances. 5.4 Implications for Economics and Natural Systems. 5.5 Knowledge Gaps and Research Needs. 5.6 Adaptive Capacity and Implications for Vulnerability -- 6. Agriculture: Impacts, Adaptation, and Mitigation. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Environmental, Economic, and Social Importance. 6.3 Vulnerabilities to Projected Climate Change. 6.4 Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Selected Subsectors. 6.5 Potential to Adapt to Changing Climates. 6.6 Knowledge Gaps and Research Needs -- 7. Human Health: Impacts and Adaptation. 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Key Impacts of Climate Changes on Human Health. 7.3 Northwest Adaptation Activities. 7.4 Knowledge Gaps and Research Needs -- 8. Northwest Tribes: Cultural Impacts and Adaptation Responses. 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Tribal Culture and Sovereignty. 8.3 Climatic Changes and Effects: Implications for Tribes in the Northwest. 8.4 Tribal Initiatives in the Northwest. 8.5 Tribal Research and Capacity Needs and Considerations for the Future.

Prepared for the 2013 National Climate Assessment and a landmark study in terms of its breadth and depth of coverage, Climate Change in the Northwest is the result of collaboration among numerous local, state, federal, and nongovernmental agencies to develop a comprehensive, state of the art look at the effects of climate change on Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The Northeast is already experiencing the impacts of a changing climate, and will likely continue to experience warming temperatures, more extreme precipitation events, reduced snow and ice cover and rising relative sea levels. The book presents a review of the historic, current, and the projected future climate of the region; describes interactions with important sectors of the Northeast and examines cross-sectoral issues, namely climate change mitigation, adaptation, and education and outreach. Rich in science and case studies, it examines the latest climate change impacts, scenarios, vulnerabilities, and adaptive capacity and offers decision makers and stakeholders a substantial basis from which to make informed choices that will affect the well-being of the region’s inhabitants in the decades to come.