Human life is dependent on the ocean and cryosphere (frozen components of the Earth System), both of which are being negatively impacted by human-caused climate change. A brief by Climate Impacts Group explores these impacts, and the steps to prepare communities for climate change consequences in Washington state.

“A shrinking cryosphere and warming ocean have already led to negative impacts on food security, water resources, water quality, livelihoods, infrastructure, transportation, tourism and recreation around the world,” the brief states.

The warming in Washington’s ocean and cryosphere between 2014-2016 has caused seabird and marine mammal die-offs, droughts driven by historically low winter snowpacks, fishery closures, and a 42% reduction in Stevens Pass’ ski season compared to its previous years.

Excess heat from greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide emissions are resulting in the warming of global oceans, and ocean acidification, stressing coastal and marine ecosystems. Since the industrial revolution, the average global temperature has increased by about 1.8℉, and ongoing emissions from heat-trapping greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide are causing additional warmings of about 0.4℉ every decade, according to the brief.

The projected consequences include increasing risks to all coastal systems as oceans warm; more frequent, intense marine heatwaves covering larger areas and lasting longer; declining land-based snow and ice as glaciers and ice sheets lose mass and snowfall decreases; an accelerated pace of rising sea levels in the Northern Hemisphere.

“The extent of harm caused by global warming’s alteration of the ocean and cryosphere depends both on how much warming occurs and how well society prepares for the impacts of that warming,” the brief states. “Faster reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and slower rates of warming will allow for greater opportunities to address the rising financial, social and environmental risks of continued warming.”

Steps with significant potential to enhance climate resilience and reduce climate-related risks include cross sectoral and regional collaboration across jurisdictional boundaries; nature-based approaches such as the Tulalip Tribes’ Qwuloolt restoration project, which provides critical fish-rearing habitat in Snohomish river; making locally-specific scientific information accessible; and capacity-building efforts such as preparing drinking water and wastewater facilities for managing local climate impacts.