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 香蕉视频直播� pandemic, wildfires and smoke, alongside the heat 香蕉视频直播� 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.

香蕉视频直播淭his issue literally affects everybody. No one is safe, no one is immune to the climate emergency. We香蕉视频直播檙e all vulnerable but we香蕉视频直播檙e all differently vulnerable,香蕉视频直播� she said.

A Capital Regional District (CRD) and University of Victoria project, the 2023 research included a survey, interviews and sharing circles to examine people香蕉视频直播檚 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.

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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 peoples香蕉视频直播� 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.

香蕉视频直播淗ere we have zero outdoor swimming pools,香蕉视频直播� 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 Regional Public Library representative attended 香蕉视频直播� 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.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 about learning. It香蕉视频直播檚 about being open and understanding. How do we plan for things and how do we act appropriately if we don香蕉视频直播檛 understand what香蕉视频直播檚 happening?香蕉视频直播� Abrahamson said. 香蕉视频直播淚 think we all have preconceived ideas of how heat affects everybody, but we香蕉视频直播檙e taking that based on our own personal situation.香蕉视频直播�

The diversity of the sharing circle he attended provided those degrees of impact. One individual didn香蕉视频直播檛 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, he香蕉视频直播檇 see negative health affects.

香蕉视频直播淚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 isn香蕉视频直播檛 a one-size fits all,香蕉视频直播� Abrahamson said. 香蕉视频直播淭here were things I hadn香蕉视频直播檛 thought of.香蕉视频直播�

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 wasn香蕉视频直播檛 aware of increasing temperatures and didn香蕉视频直播檛 attempt to cool down. A sharp woman, she felt embarrassed it even happened.

香蕉视频直播淚t wasn香蕉视频直播檛 until things were too late that she ended up having to call 911,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 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 香蕉视频直播� if it can happen to someone else it can certainly happen again.香蕉视频直播�

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 Colwood香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e going to need really innovative approaches to governance and policy. We香蕉视频直播檙e learning a little bit after the fact, but I香蕉视频直播檓 hopeful we can look ahead and start planning better,香蕉视频直播� Wiebe said. 香蕉视频直播淭his issue literally affects everybody. No one is safe, no one is immune to the climate emergency. We香蕉视频直播檙e all vulnerable but we香蕉视频直播檙e all differently vulnerable.香蕉视频直播�