A new mother when the heat dome of 2021 hit, Sarah Wiebe found herself struggling to nurse her baby while battling migraines and nausea.

The midst of converging crises B次元官网网址� pandemic, wildfires and smoke, alongside the heat B次元官网网址� was a tricky time to embark on parenthood.

She found her struggling with post-partum, mental health, the pandemic, a heat dome and fires and then feeling isolated and struggling to find good information.

People died and her humanity left Wiebe wondering what impacts there were on other people with risks, other new parents and seniors living in isolation or people living with complex mental health concerns.

The researcher in her set out to find out.

Wiebe, an assistant professor at UVic took the lead on the A Hot Topic: Feeling the Impacts of Extreme Heat report, exploring how vulnerable groups fared in recent extreme heat events, and how those supports might improve.

B次元官网网址淭his issue literally affects everybody. No one is safe, no one is immune to the climate emergency. WeB次元官网网址檙e all vulnerable but weB次元官网网址檙e all differently vulnerable,B次元官网网址� she said.

A Capital Regional District (CRD) and University of Victoria project, the 2023 research included a survey, interviews and sharing circles to examine peopleB次元官网网址檚 experiences and policy responses to extreme heat events in the area over the previous two years. The plan is to share results with service providers, Island Health the 16 communities represented by the CRD and the regional district itself to develop policy and procedures.

In the survey, 62 per cent said their health was negatively impacted by extreme heat exposure and the majority, 79 per cent, described the health impact as moderate. Those numbers were reflected in the personal stories shared.

READ ALSO:

Income and employment appeared to be key factors in those who faced more challenges than others.

Numerous sharing circle participants identified lack of money as a barrier to purchasing cooling systems, curtains and transportation to cooling centres. That was similarly reflected in 40 per cent of respondents to the survey.

Hoping to particularly hear from vulnerable folks, such as isolated older adults, pregnant and nursing mothers and newcomers, a second key goal was to harness personal stories to help put a human face to the experiences. That included looking at peoplesB次元官网网址� strategies, solutions and recommendations, Wiebe said.

While she expected to hear primarily about challenges, a surprising amount shared strategies. Folks from China, India and Ukraine had ideas based on how their countries handled similar situations. Someone from Japan noted misting stations are everywhere in that country, with splash pads in most parks.

B次元官网网址淗ere we have zero outdoor swimming pools,B次元官网网址� Wiebe noted.

She was also pleased with participation and input from agencies and businesses that are often part of the solution. For example, a Greater Victoria Public Library representative attended B次元官网网址� with library branches frequently listed as a cooling option by local government.

Colwood Deputy Fire Chief Scott Abrahamson attended a sharing circle to both share and glean information, gathering perspectives in a bid keep the community as safe as possible.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 about learning. ItB次元官网网址檚 about being open and understanding. How do we plan for things and how do we act appropriately if we donB次元官网网址檛 understand whatB次元官网网址檚 happening?B次元官网网址� Abrahamson said. B次元官网网址淚 think we all have preconceived ideas of how heat affects everybody, but weB次元官网网址檙e taking that based on our own personal situation.B次元官网网址�

The diversity of the sharing circle he attended provided those degrees of impact. One individual didnB次元官网网址檛 find there was any issue at all. Then other vulnerabilities within the group revealed themselves and another participant with physical health challenges, highlighted how when outdoor temps hit 25 C, heB次元官网网址檇 see negative health affects.

B次元官网网址淚t was interesting to see as we went around the room and people shared their stories, my mind really was opened to the challenges individuals do face. It isnB次元官网网址檛 a one-size fits all,B次元官网网址� Abrahamson said. B次元官网网址淭here were things I hadnB次元官网网址檛 thought of.B次元官网网址�

As a first responder, he also gathers valuable information while out in the community, whether at emergencies or educational events.

He recalls chatting with a resident with mobility impairments who was hospitalized during the 2021 heat. They met during a subsequent emergency at her multi-unit residential building. Living on the top floor, she wasnB次元官网网址檛 aware of increasing temperatures and didnB次元官网网址檛 attempt to cool down. A sharp woman, she felt embarrassed it even happened.

B次元官网网址淚t wasnB次元官网网址檛 until things were too late that she ended up having to call 911,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 stories like that that really spark something in me that it helps educate the rest of the community when I can utilize examples like this B次元官网网址� if it can happen to someone else it can certainly happen again.B次元官网网址�

Communications was a consistent concern, with participants wishing for multiple forms of information from smartphone to community flyers. The need for one app sharing health, weather and cooling infrastructure options instead of leaving folks digging around on different websites and social media. And while most people have a cellphone, not all do.

Communication is something Abrahamson also hones in on. He builds stories and experiences into public education and community messaging, sharing as much information as possible through ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 social media channels, regional meetings, community groups and partnering with different levels of government and key organizations.

READ ALSO: CRD

In the fall, the Hot Topic project team met with people involved in developing policy, representatives from the Ministry of Environment, health, fire departments, local government and First Nations. This month, the CRD launched a new online extreme heat information portal, corralling information and maps to help residents and municipal planners.

It includes a climate projections report updated to April 2024.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going to need really innovative approaches to governance and policy. WeB次元官网网址檙e learning a little bit after the fact, but IB次元官网网址檓 hopeful we can look ahead and start planning better,B次元官网网址� Wiebe said. B次元官网网址淭his issue literally affects everybody. No one is safe, no one is immune to the climate emergency. WeB次元官网网址檙e all vulnerable but weB次元官网网址檙e all differently vulnerable.B次元官网网址�