The Program on Climate Change represents a combination of University of Washington members. We all come together with an interest in climate change from faculty, staff, and researchers to grad students, undergrads, and alumni. We form a group focused on accelerating climate involvement, education, and research but we also form a community. To get to know and connect with our community members further, we sent out a survey in February and March 2024, ahead of our Winter Welcome. From hometowns, to favorites, and how we get involved, this is what we learned.

We really appreciate everyone’s involvement in our survey. Our top responders for this survey were grad students and undergrads. The responders represent 44 different cities they call home, each with their own pin on the map.

PCC on Campus

We asked everyone what their favorite coffee spots are near campus and complied a list of the most popular answers. Next time your looking for a a spot to get work done, meet with a friend, or check out a new place, try one of these! Some additional favorites included Mr. West Cafe, Cafe Canuc, Leon Coffee House, and Evolutionary Grounds.

We also checked in with where everyone spends most of their time on campus. AGT and the Ocean’s buildings are our hotspots when on campus. You might be a neighbor to a fellow PCC member and not even know it!

PCC in Climate and the Community

Many of the respondents are active in their communities, spending their free time volunteering. For some, this includes outdoor and environmental work with beach/park cleanups, trail work, and The Northwest Avalanche Center. Others take to advocacy with Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, Habitat for Humanity, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, and local offices. Some take to helping others stay active with high school and youth sports and recreation, Special Olympics, and The Mountaineers. Furthering education is an interest of many with volunteers with Skype A Scientist, Seattle Aquarium, Pacific Science Center, tutoring, teaching, and other public school work. There are even more who donate their time to local hospitals, churches, food banks, and more. We are proud to share that so much of our community is hard at work helping others.

We also asked where everyone sources their climate information. Many like to go straight to the source with the IPCC, NOAA, Nation Weather Service, and scientific journals. News outlets including The New York Times, Washington Post, Science, Nature, Google News, and PBS were popular choices. Some opt for blogs including Real-Climate and Carbon Brief or their local Climate Adaption Science Center. Grist, Heated, and Katherine Hayhoe‘s newsletters are another way people connect with climate information. Climate social media’s and podcasts are gaining traction like How to Save a Planet and Volts for climate solutions.

PCC Favorites

PCC members stay busy throughout the summer and shared their favorite summer activities. Many hit the trails for hiking and backpacking whereas others find themselves by the water with beach activities, boating, and diving. Many take the time to slow down with reading, picnics, and family time. Others stay active with sports like tennis, softball, and rock climbing. Despite the cooler weather and darker days, we keep busy in the winter too. Many take advantage of the snowy season for skiing, sledding, snowboarding, and other snow fun. Indoor activities like reading, cooking, baking, art, concerts, and yoga keep us busy and warm.

Many of our members take to reading in their free time. We compiled a list of some of their favorite books and recommendations. You can find the full reading list here.

We asked everyone to share their favorite drinks. Coffee and water were popular as always but some people get creative with their orders. We complied all the answers into a word cloud.

Finally, we requested everyone to share their go-to karaoke songs. Although it seems many of our members “don’t sing” those who dabble in karaoke shared their go-to songs. It seems there are many Taylor Swift, Adele, and Queen fans as they were quite popular picks. Check out the eclectic playlist.

Written by Elise Herzfeld, PCC Undergraduate Assistant and student in Oceanography