Research Question & Project Description
What barriers prevent access to public space for vulnerable communities during extreme weather events?
Extreme weather events, including extreme temperatures, storms, and flooding, represent the urgency of the climate emergency. These events often catch people off guard and leave governments to respond quickly. This is becoming especially true as weather becomes more intense and unpredictable. Beyond direct effects of extreme weather, related problems, such as drought, wildfire smoke, and food system die-off, are also increasingly affecting public health. To better prepare for these events and plan for protecting those most vulnerable to negative health impacts, our research partnership is informed by a planetary health and intersectional policy lens to create safe spaces for affected communities to tell their stories. The goal of this work is to inform policy-makers about lived experiences in order to improve outcomes, with findings relevant to local governments and across jurisdictions in British Columbia.
