Global Warming and the Pacific Northwest Coast

An Ecological Crisis

The Pacific Northwest is blessed with an amazing diversity of coastal habitats. These habitats support thousands of species of fish and wildlife, and they are crucial for the regional economy, culture and quality of life.

However, the region’s coastal habitats and wildlife are under pressure from human activities such as development and pollution. Now, sea-level rise due to global warming will create even greater challenges for our coasts.

We are facing an ecological crisis that could see wholesale loss of wildlife populations and profound changes in our outdoor way of life. We must address the greatly accelerating impacts of global warming before it's too late and work together to protect and conserve the Pacific Northwest and the rest of the country.

Recent studies show that the global average sea level will rise as much 20-56 inches by 2100, including in the Pacific Northwest.
Learn more major facts:

• The National Wildlife Federation looked at a number of sea-level rise scenarios for the region and found that even a relatively moderate scenario of sea level rise of just over 2-feet by 2100 will have a significant impact on coastal habitats.
• Recent studies show that it is likely the Pacific Northwest coast will have a significant sea level rise by 2100 of between 20-56 inches.
• Among the most vulnerable habitats is estuarine beach, which provides vital spawning areas for forage fish, including surf smelt and sand lance, which in turn provide food for birds, marine mammals, salmon, and other fish and wildlife.
• More than 2/3 of beaches in the Tacoma area are predicted to be lost by 2100.
• The Seattle area is built on high land, and so would have limited impact due to sea level rise. However, 741- 988 acres of dry land will become marsh or tidal flat. More than half of estuarine beaches in the area will be lost.