Governor Schwarzenegger Announces New Action on Global Warming Friday, November 21, 2008 By: Robyn Carmichael Executive Order Directs California to Prepare for Impacts On November 14th, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued an executive order calling for new programs to plan for the effects of sea level rise and other impacts of global warming. Read the full text of the press release and executive order here. Photo: flickr.com The governor called for a comprehensive “Climate Adaptation Strategy” that would identify the state’s vulnerabilities and plan accordingly. State agencies will use a report on sea-level rise due in December 2010 from the National Academy of Sciences to inform planning of new infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and water treatment facilities. Read this story from the Christian Science Monitor for more information: "Schwarzenegger says California must prepare for warming" “We have to adapt the way we work and plan in order to manage the impacts and challenges that California and our entire planet face from climate change,” said Schwarzenegger in a press release. “Given the serious threat of sea level rise to California’s water supply, population and our economy, it’s critically important that we make sure the state is prepared when heavy rains cause flooding and the potential for sea level rise increases in future years.” National Wildlife Federation and its California affiliate, the Planning and Conservation League, have been assisting the Governor's agencies in their efforts to protect the state's wildlife and people from the growing impacts of global warming. A recent report by these groups, titled "On The Edge: Protecting California’s Fish and Waterfowl from Global Warming", shows that global warming is taking a toll on California’s rivers, wetlands, and coastline and the outdoor recreational economy they sustain. Download the Report and learn more about what you can do to help protect California's fish and water from the effects of global warming. A New York Times article also points out that other jurisdictions are taking into account the impacts of climate change, including Washington State, where agencies have also been planning for the rise in sea level, including raising the height of the wharves at the Port of Tacoma. Read National Wildlife Federation's work on the Pacific Northwest and Sea Level Rise to learn more about these impacts in our region.

"Gardeners and Global Warming" at Woodland Park Zoo on December 9th Friday, November 14, 2008 Event will focus on gardening's role as a solution to global warming National Wildlife Federation and Woodland Park Zoo are hosting a special event about gardening and its important role as a solution to global warming. Attention about this worldwide issue is growing, and it’s time for gardeners to take action. WHAT: "Gardeners and Global Warming: Impacts and Solutions": DATE: Tuesday, December 9th TIME: Lecture: 6:30 - 8 pm / Become a Trainer: 8 - 9 pm (optional) WHERE: Activities and Resource Center, Woodland Park Zoo COST: FREE RSVP: We're sorry - this event has reached capacity. Please contact Courtney Sullivan to express your interest in future events (contact info below). MORE INFORMATION: Contact Courtney Sullivan at sullivanc@nwf.org or 206-285-8707 x108 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS: Hear from experts about the impacts of global warming on the environment. Real solutions for how gardening can protect plants and animals. Network with other like-minded gardeners and plant enthusiasts. Tips to strengthen and beautify your community. “Become a Trainer” session after the lecture. DOWNLOAD - GARDENER’S GUIDE TO GLOBAL WARMING This lecture is based on National Wildlife Federation’s Gardener’s Guide to Global Warming report. Take the next step in your commitment to gardening. Stick around for the “Become a Trainer” session after the lecture and learn how to give the Gardening and Global Warming presentation. Educate the members of your community about this growing threat to plants and wildlife.

Salmon and Global Warming Monday, April 14, 2008 By: Maia Eisen An icon of the Pacific Northwest, salmon suffer seven distinct climate change impacts. From high mountain streams to broad rivers, to estuaries and the ocean, salmon are our "canary in the coalmine", alerting us to the impact of climate change on the health of our entire ecosystem. The Salmon and Global Warming Slideshow shows the seven impacts of climate change on salmon. Find out what you can do to help save this iconic species. 1. Loss of snowpack Loss of snowpack and shrinking glaciers mean reduced stream flows in summer and fall. This makes it difficult for returning salmon to reach spawning grounds and for juvenile fish to reach the ocean. Lower stream volumes mean warmer water. 2. Warmer Water Optimum water temperature range for most salmonids is 55-64 degrees Fahrenheit (12.8-17.8 degrees Celsius). Warmer summers are also raising stream temp-eratures, making salmon more susceptible to predators, parasites and disease. Massive fish kills have occurred at or above 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius). 3. Forest Fires Warmer, dryer conditions have resulted in a 400% increase in the number of major fires and 600% increase in the average area burned since the 1980’s. Intense forest fires can completely burn out root systems, contributing to erosion and siltation of nearby rivers. 4. More Severe Storms and Floods Increasingly heavy winter floods wash away salmon eggs, even scouring away the gravel spawning beds. Severe floods can wash toxic materials into rivers. 5. Ocean Acidification CO2 is making the oceans more acidic, dissolving the shells of tiny mollusks, an important food source for juvenile North Pacific salmon. 6. Warmer Oceans Warmer ocean waters and shifting currents are prompting a northward shift in the range of some salmon and other fish populations,such as barracuda and Pacific cod. 7. Sea Level Rise Sea level rise may inundate low-lying estuaries, a critical habitat for salmonids as they make their transition between river and ocean life stages. For more information about how global warming is affecting rivers and fish in the Pacific Northwest region, see: Fish Out of Water (1.4 Mb).