Q&A with Amy Snover, outgoing director of the UW Climate Impacts Group

For over a quarter of a century, the UW Climate Impacts Group has blended science and decision-making to help the Pacific Northwest region prepare for a changing climate. For the past 10 of those years, director Amy Snover has been at the helm. Snover recently announced that she will retire on June 15 and plans to travel and spend time outdoors with her husband.

Scientists seek to grow the field of eDNA research ‘without squelching creativity’

The eDNA Collaborative team. From left to right: Program manager Cara Sucher, director Ryan Kelly and chief scientist Eily Andruszkiewicz Allan.eDNA Collaborative

A new effort at the University of Washington aims to accelerate eDNA research by supporting existing projects and building a network of practitioners to advance the nascent field. Called the eDNA Collaborative, the team is based in the College of the Environment with leadership and program staff from the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs. For about a decade, scientists have honed the craft of using genetic material in the environment — known as eDNA — to detect and monitor organisms for environmental science and conservation.

College faculty, staff and students honored at the 2022 Awards of Excellence

Mikelle Nuwer, Kristin Privitera-Johnson, Burlyn Birkemeier and Joanna Long

Each year, the University of Washington’s Awards of Excellence highlight alumni, faculty, staff, retirees and students who contribute to the richness and diversity of the University community. This year, the University has recognized the outstanding contributions of four members of the College of the Environment: Mikelle Nuwer, Kristin Privitera-Johnson, Burlyn Birkemeier and Joanna Long. The winners will be honored from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Including all types of emissions shortens timeline to reach Paris Agreement temperature targets

The coal-fired power plant shown here emits not only carbon dioxide, but also nitrogen oxide and particulates. Including more types of emissions increases the amount of warming that humans have committed to by past emissions.

Countries around the world pledged in the Paris Agreement to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, or, at most, 2 degrees Celsius. As emissions rates gradually begin to decline, countries are looking at how many greenhouse gases can still be emitted while remaining below these temperature targets, which are deemed the upper limits to avoid the most catastrophic impacts to the climate system.

Honoring College of the Environment Class of 2022 Graduates

Three graduates seated in the audience at UW Commencement

Believe it or not, it is graduation season. A time of year where we come together to celebrate our graduates and their many accomplishments here at UW and the College of the Environment. In appreciation of their contributions to enriching the College of the Environment community, the College is honoring our graduates through funding a project jointly with the Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF).