The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government has announced a comprehensive community survey assessing attitudes and vulnerability to climate change.
Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury said, “The survey will consider how Canberrans view, experience, and adapt to the changing climate.
“It looks at the impact of a changing climate on people’s health and wellbeing; the liveability of our suburbs and homes; how people cope and prepare for extreme events such as storms and bushfires; and community views about climate change.
“We know the reality of climate change means longer, hotter summers with an increased frequency and severity of heatwaves and droughts, storms and bushfires.
“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, and how to most effectively reduce vulnerability to these impacts.
“The survey is an action under the ACT Government’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and will provide a comprehensive picture of the strategies we need to help our community respond to a changing climate.
“The intention is to get at least 1,200 ACT residents to complete the survey in order to establish baseline data about community resilience to climate change. The survey will be repeated in coming years to determine trends.”
To raise awareness of the survey 20,000 postcards will be delivered randomly to households.
