climate resiliency

By Anthony Maucione, Planner

words: 266 | reading time: 1 minute

In 2023, HB1181 created a new requirement for a climate element in local comprehensive plans under the Growth Management Act (GMA). With new requirements and state guidance, there are also plenty of new opportunities for planners to explore new policy tools and methodologies. 

These new and exciting opportunities for climate planning in Washington come at a time when scientists around the world are sounding the alarm about the irreversible trajectory we are all heading towards. Just this year, a new study titled the “Global Tipping Points Report” was published by the University of Exeter and included insight from 160 scientists in 23 countries. The report found that global heating is around 1.4 degrees Celsius, with a “danger zone” threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius looking more likely in the next 10 years.

While smaller cities in Washington may not seem to factor much into the global rise of climate risks, local climate planning is nevertheless greatly needed. Cities in Washington and the surrounding region are being faced with increased climate-related hazards such as worsening “heat dome” effects, risks of losing key agricultural products unable to adapt to changing temperatures, as well as increased wildfires and smoke detrimental to Washington residents’ health and livelihoods (to name only a few examples).

Climate planning is vital to addressing these challenges, but their usefulness also extends throughout many, if not all, of the other comprehensive plan elements. Co-benefits include walkable communities, more resilient economies, protection of parks and natural resources, and greater equity for all within local communities. It’s time to get creative and proactive incorporating climate resiliency into our planning.