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RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.– An economic analysis by RTI International, a nonprofit research institute, in support of the U.S. Climate Alliance, Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, assesses the economic impacts of specific climate resilience actions Washington State is taking. The report, which was released on Monday by the Washington State DNR, focuses on Washington DNR’s efforts to restore, and improve the health of Western Washington’s watersheds and Eastern Washington’s forests.
In the analysis, researchers from RTI found that for every dollar spent on watershed resilience in the Snohomish Watershed, 77 cents could become wages for a Washington resident. They also found that for every dollar spent on forest health in Eastern Washington, 78 cents could support income for a Washington resident.
“Every $1 million spent on forest health could create 20 full-time equivalent jobs in the rural Washington community – a testament to how climate solutions can make a positive impact on local economies,” said Jared Woollacott, a senior research economist at RTI and lead author on the study. “By continuing to steward its lands, Washington State can offer significant economic support to its communities through jobs and incomes.”
The report also emphasized that more funding toward the Snohomish watershed could quicken the pace of salmon recovery and local ecosystem resilience.
The report is helping leadership in Washington State emphasize the economic benefits of action on climate resilience and delivering ‘win-win’ outcomes for Washington State’s environment and economy.
To read the full report, click here.
To learn more about other climate-related work at RTI, please visit the Center for Climate Solutions
