What can I do about climate change? – At Home
Adaptation
Climate change adaptation means being prepared for the fact that the climate is changing and will continue to change. While humans can seek safety when disaster strikes – buildings don’t have the luxury of movement or escape routes; they must bear whatever climate change throws their way. That’s why adaptation plays an important role in protecting communities from climate-related events – ensuring our built environment remains resilient long into the future.
Wildfire risk reduction
The risk of wildfires is increasing. While we can’t predict exactly when or where wildfires might start, summertime brings a heightened risk. To protect our homes and community from potential danger, it pays to be prepared – especially if you live near the edge or outside of Cranbrook! Taking steps to make your home more resistant to catching fire, such as removing dry deadfall or planting fire-resistant vegetation around your property could mean preserving the safety and value of your home in an emergency. In case the worst does happen, having home or renter’s insurance can help you recover your losses.
What resources are there to help me do this or provide more information?
Fire Smart BC
The City of Cranbrook – Fire Smart BC
Emergency preparedness
Are your best decisions made when time is limited and you under immense pressure? We won’t answer that for you, but if you’re like most people, more effective decisions are made under more positive circumstances. That is why planning for what to do in an emergency, before it suddenly happens, is important.
Data indicates that most households in Cranbrook could be better prepared for emergencies and are therefore more vulnerable to negative effects.
Be sure you’re prepared by getting your safety plan in place now.
What resources are there to help me do this or provide more information?
Canadian Government Emergency Preparedness
BC Government Emergency & Disaster Prepraredness
Water management
Fresh, drinkable water is a finite resource. Thankfully it is more abundant in Cranbrook than most places in the world. The infrastructure used to collect, distribute, and treat water is not free or cheap to build and maintain, so to help save you money this infrastructure is not built to accommodate high water use for everyone.
If there is less rainfall in the summer, our taps are the only way to keep gardens alive. By choosing landscaping and plants that need less supplementary watering from the tap
hydration there will be more water for everyone – meaning less enforced watering restrictions, and less consequences to your yard if there are restrictions. If you don’t have underground irrigation, saving water is also saving your time spent watering too.
Cutting down on water consumption inside your home is easier than you think. Did you know that modern dishwashers have become so efficient that they use less water and energy than handwashing dishes? Or that rinsing your dishes before loading them impairs the effectiveness of a modern dishwasher in addition to using more water? Or that well-designed low-flow shower heads can often feel better on the skin than old inefficient ones?
Learn more information by checking out the accompanying links.
What resources are there to help me do this or provide more information?
Water Conservation
EPA Watersense Start Saving
How to Cut Your Water Use in Half
BCHydro Powersmart – DishwashersBCHydro Powersmart – Residential Technologies
Extreme heat
In 2018, the highest temperature ever recorded in Cranbrook was observed. And Cranbrook is not alone in BC in setting its record high temperature rather recently. This is a trend that is expected to continue, and worsen. Unfortunately, we don’t really have any control over the weather. Not only is extreme heat uncomfortable, it is dangerous too as it greatly increases the risk of dehydration and heat stroke. Although you cannot control the weather, you can control how you prepare yourself and for it, prepare your home for it.
If you own your home but don’t have the luxury of air conditioning, improving the insulation, sealing, and windows can make a big difference for your comfort, particularly in an older home. These improvements will reduce your heating costs too, and if you do decide to get install air conditioning in the future, these improvements will also reduce the size and cost of the unit you would need. When considering an air conditioning system, a heat pump could be the most cost-effective option as it offers both cooling and heating capabilities for less than the cost of natural gas.
If you don’t own your home, there are still things that you can do to improve your comfort. A portable air conditioner, or a swamp cooler or even a smart clever setup of fans in your house can help regulate the temperature.
You wouldn’t need to worry about cooling your home if it didn’t take the heat in. You can help with that by using light colors for paint or siding outside of your house, as these will absorb less heat. Close the blinds so the sun doesn’t heat up the contents inside your home too. Trees planted in your yard can also help shade your house and keep the yard a bit more cool too.
If you absolutely must be outside during extreme heat, make sure to pack lots of water (and drink it!) and take frequent breaks somewhere that is air-conditioned or at the very least, well-shaded. If you know well in advance that you will have to be outside when it is very hot, it can be beneficial to gradually acclimatize your body to the heat in advance, instead of hiding away from it until the time you have to be outside.
What resources are there to help me do this or provide more information?
Energystar Seal Insulate – Do it Yourself Guide
BCHydro Powersmart – Draft Proofing
BCHydro Powersmart Insulation
BCHydro Powersmart – Window Coverings
BCHydro Powersmart – Fans
CDC – Heat TipsHeat Stress Acclimatization
CDC – Protect Yourself from Heat Stress