Climate change is a global environmental and public health threat. In Washington, our economy and quality of life are very connected to our natural resources, increasing the consequences of climate-change impacts. We're taking action designed to lessen the impacts on public health and to help our state be better prepared for the changes we expect to happen.
Our Agency Responding to a Climate-related Change Topic
Wildfire events that affected health
Preparing for Emergencies
Our Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response added climate change to its mandate to make sure our state is better able to respond to any threat to the public's health. This office works to build and sustain the public health and medical emergency preparedness system and capabilities throughout Washington.
Their team focuses on "all-hazards" planning and capacity development, preparing for the types of situations expected from climate change, including natural disasters, major emergencies, and extreme weather events. Similar planning can be done by individuals, communities and families.