Confronting Climate Change in Oregon

The document details how rising temperatures in Oregon are increasing the frequency and cost of wildfires, reducing mountain snowpack, and causing ocean acidification. It highlights the vulnerability of the state's $48 billion agriculture, forestry, and fishery sectors and recommends a transition to a clean energy economy through carbon pricing and renewable energy adoption.

• Average annual temperatures in the Pacific Northwest have risen by at least 1.5°F since the first half of the 20th century, with winter minimums increasing by more than 4.5°F. Future projections suggest temperatures could increase another 5°F to 8.5°F by the end of the century, and heat waves may become up to 12°F hotter within the next 20 to 50 years.
• Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity, with fighting costs reaching a record $514 million in 2018. Warmer and drier summer conditions could lead to the typical annual burn area in the region doubling by the 2040s and quadrupling by the 2080s compared to the 20th century.
• Oregon's water supplies are threatened by declining snowpack; some areas have seen a decrease in average April 1 snowpack of over 70% since 1955. Snowmelt is occurring up to 30 days earlier than in the mid-20th century, which reduces summer stream flows and threatens hydroelectric electricity generation, which provided over 60% of Oregon's electricity in 2017.
• Ocean acidification and sea level rise threaten Oregon's coast. Sea levels have risen two to four inches in some areas since the 1980s, and over 7,700 residents live in areas at risk of chronic inundation by 2100. Acidification has already caused declines in hatchery production near Netarts Bay by softening oyster shells.
• The state's natural resources, including agriculture, forestry, and commercial fisheries, contributed more than $48 billion to the economy in 2015, but these sectors are highly vulnerable to global warming.
• To meet its goals of reducing emissions to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 75% below 1990 levels by 2050, the document recommends that Oregon establish a carbon cap and price, fund a clean energy transition for underserved communities, and increase the use of clean fuels and renewable electricity.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2019). Confronting Climate Change in Oregon. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2019/01/Confronting-Climate-Change-Oregon-2019-final.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Confronting Climate Change in Oregon. 2019. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2019/01/Confronting-Climate-Change-Oregon-2019-final.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Confronting Climate Change in Oregon |date=January 2019 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2019/01/Confronting-Climate-Change-Oregon-2019-final.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2019confronting, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Confronting Climate Change in Oregon}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2019}, month = jan, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2019/01/Confronting-Climate-Change-Oregon-2019-final.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }