(orchestral music) - I'm Starla Sampaco in the Crosscut KCTS 9 newsroom.

Covering climate change means watching the Washington you love fade away, according to Crosscut reporter, Hannah Weinberger.

Originally from Ohio, Hannah says environmental perks, like easy access to trails and temperate weather, had her hooked on Seattle.

But, many of the parks that drew her here are under threat due to climate change and the human development that drives it.

We're now grappling with excess heat, wildfire smoke, and rising sea levels.

And over the past four decades, Seattle summers have gained about an extra month of mosquito days, days when the temperature and humidity induce them to bite more.

But, Weinberger says that the longer she stays, the more conscious she becomes of how important it is to report on climate change so that the very things she loves about this place can be protected for the health and wellbeing of humans and wildlife.

I'm Starla Sampaco.

Find nonprofit Northwest news every day on crosscut.com.

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