RDCO Regional Climate Resilience Strategy Survey

Climate change is already affecting the Central Okanagan through more frequent and severe events such as extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding, drought, and severe weather. These events can affect health and safety, damage homes and infrastructure, disrupt essential services, and impact daily life.

The Regional District of the Central Okanagan is developing a Regional Climate Resilience Strategy to better understand climate related risks across the region and identify practical ways to reduce impacts and strengthen preparedness over time.

As part of this work, we want to hear from residents about their experiences, concerns and priorities related to climate related events.

Please complete the following survey and provide your knowledge on your community and its changing climate.

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* 1. Please identify the community in which you live.

City of Kelowna

City of West Kelowna

District of Lake Country

District of Peachland

Westbank First Nation (WFN) (IR#9 or #10)

Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) (IR#7 Duck Lake)

Other First Nation community (please specify in Other box):

Electoral Area West

Electoral Area East

Other (please specify)

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* 2. Please provide your postal code.

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* 3. How concerned are you about the impacts of climate change in the Central Okanagan?

Very concerned

Somewhat concerned

Not very concerned

Not at all concerned

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* 4. The Central Okanagan is expected to experience more extreme weather over time, including more very hot days and heat waves, heavier rainfall, stronger storms, drought, and wildfire conditions. While spring and fall seasons may become longer, temperatures are expected to be more variable.

These changes can affect daily life if communities are not prepared.

Thinking about your day-to-day activities, please rank the following climate impacts from the one you worry about most to the one you worry about least.

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* 5. If you selected Other in Q4 above, please specify the climate impact.

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* 6. Which climate impacts have already affected your day-to-day activities? Select all that apply.

Extreme heat and heat waves

Wildfires

Wildfire smoke and air quality

Flooding from heavy rainfall or snowmelt

Drought and water shortages

Severe storms or high winds

Impacts to natural areas such as forests, lakes, and wildlife

Increased risk of exposure to diseases passed to humans by mosquitoes, ticks, or fleas

Disruptions to essential services such as power, water, or transportation

Other (please specify)

None of the above

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* 7. If any of these climate-related events have affected you in the Central Okanagan within the past 3–5 years, please describe how they impacted you.

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* 8. Thinking about how the climate is projected to change in the region and the impacts on daily life, how prepared do you feel to deal with these impacts?

Very prepared

Somewhat prepared

Not very prepared

Not prepared at all

Not sure

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* 9. Which actions have you already taken or are planning to take (if any) to prepare for the projected changes in climate? Select all that apply.

Taking measures to protect lower floors of my home or business from flooding (e.g., installing backflow prevention valves, sump pumps, flood alarms or water sensors having flood sensors)

Landscaping my garden to encourage rain to filter into the ground and away from the building foundation

Developing an emergency preparedness plan and kit

Preparing for power outages (e.g., backup power, flashlights, charging plans)

Taking steps to protect my home from extreme heat (e.g., shading, cooling strategies)

FireSmarting my property (e.g., removing leaves and debris from around the home, clearing vegetation, trimming trees)

Taking steps to reduce indoor smoke exposure during wildfire smoke events (e.g., air filters, sealed windows)

Converting landscaping to climate-adapted species (e.g., replacing lawn with low-water plants, gravel, or native species)

Reducing outdoor water use during drought conditions

Using heat pumps to maintain temperature

Installing more insulation in the attic or walls

Installing energy-efficient windows

Checking insurance coverage related to climate-related risks

Other (please specify)

None of the above

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* 10. What would help you take action to prepare for the impacts of a changing climate? Check all that apply.

Information about what my City/Town is doing and how I can prepare

More information about how my community could be impacted

A list of simple ways to prepare for climate change

Financial incentives or grants to prepare my home or business

Clear information about what to do before, during, and after extreme weather events

Local alerts or warnings about extreme weather and emergencies

Information about protecting my home or property from climate-related impacts

Support for people who may need extra help during extreme weather events

Other (please specify)

RDCO Regional Climate Resilience Strategy Survey

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* 1. Please identify the community in which you live.

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* 2. Please provide your postal code.

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* 3. How concerned are you about the impacts of climate change in the Central Okanagan?

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* 5. If you selected Other in Q4 above, please specify the climate impact.

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* 6. Which climate impacts have already affected your day-to-day activities? Select all that apply.

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* 7. If any of these climate-related events have affected you in the Central Okanagan within the past 3–5 years, please describe how they impacted you.

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* 8. Thinking about how the climate is projected to change in the region and the impacts on daily life, how prepared do you feel to deal with these impacts?

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* 9. Which actions have you already taken or are planning to take (if any) to prepare for the projected changes in climate? Select all that apply.

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* 10. What would help you take action to prepare for the impacts of a changing climate? Check all that apply.

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* 11. What do you think should be the highest priorities for improving climate resilience in the Central Okanagan?

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* 12. Do you have any additional comments or experiences you would like to share?