Marcus Butler
7 February 2018: Canberrans and residents from nearby communities who work in the ACT are being invited to share their experiences of extreme weather events and views about changing climate in a University of Canberra survey.
The survey, which has been commissioned by the ACT Government, is helping underpin our understanding of adaptation to climate change, by better understanding how Canberrans cope with the extreme weather events that are expected to become more common as part of a changing climate.
Led by Associate Professor Jacki Schirmer, the study will generate baseline data about Canberrans and how they experience weather-related events such as heatwaves, storms, drought, and floods.
Dr Schirmer said ACT residents should consider taking part in the survey which is aimed to generate more than 1000 responses in the coming month.
“By participating in this survey, ACT and surrounding NSW residents will help us identify how we can better support people in this region to live well with extreme weather events like heatwaves, storms, drought and floods. The survey will be repeated in coming years to see how our resilience to these events changes over time," Dr Schirmer said.
“Specific areas we’re examining include how weather events such as heatwaves affect people’s health and wellbeing; how we are adapting our suburbs and homes and whether these changes are having a positive effect; and how people cope and prepare for extreme events such as storms and bushfires; and community views about climate change.”
The survey is being conducted under the ACT Government’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and will provide a comprehensive picture of the strategies needed to help our community respond to a changing climate.
“As well as all ACT residents aged 18 or older being invited to take part in the survey, some randomly selected households will receive postcards about the survey in coming weeks,” Dr Schirmer said.
ACT Climate Change Minister Shane Rattenbury said the reality of climate change means longer, hotter summers.
“We know the reality of climate change means longer, hotter summers with an increased frequency and severity of heatwaves and droughts, storms and bushfires,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“Even though the ACT is taking a leading role in tackling climate change, more extreme weather events are an increasing reality. We need to understand how climate change is affecting people in their day to day lives.”
The survey opened on Tuesday 6 February and will remain open until Friday 9 March 2018.
Seven gift voucher prizes of up to $1000 are on offer to participants who complete the survey before the closing date.
