Adapting to Climate Instability: Insights from the North Okanagan Action Group

I’ve lived through bushfires, and so have many friends. We’ve experienced the terror of seeing buildings burn and the heartbreak of fleeing through flames. Afterward, the true toll becomes clear. Our communities change. Favorite places disappear. Some people never come back.

The impact isn’t just human. Wildlife suffers too. Many animals and birds never fully recover after disasters like this. For those who haven’t been evacuated, smoke from wildfires poses serious health risks. It can contain harmful gases and tiny particles that affect breathing and heart health.

A study from the University of Hawaii found that residents who faced the Lahaina fire experienced much higher rates of heart and respiratory issues. Survivors also reported feeling depressed at double the normal rate. These events reshape our world, marked by record-breaking fires, floods, and climate instability.

More towns will face these harsh realities if we don’t take climate change seriously. Places like Lytton and West Kelowna have already felt its effects. Even urban areas, like Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, aren’t safe.

We must prepare for the future, which seems daunting. Making homes fire-resistant and flood-proof helps, as does having an evacuation plan. However, no community can guarantee resilience after a disaster hits.

Municipalities play a crucial role. They can improve infrastructure and take preventative measures. Yet, the burden of climate action often falls on everyday people. Interestingly, as we invest in resilience, fossil fuel companies continue to profit, ignoring the climate crisis.

Katharine Hayhoe, a Canadian atmospheric scientist, emphasizes that “we can’t adapt our way out of this climate crisis.” While using fossil fuels is convenient, renewable energy is now cheaper and much safer.

The solution lies in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and embracing clean energy. Shifting to electric power and adopting energy-efficient building codes is key. Our voices matter; we need to make climate change a priority for politicians.

The cost of recovery after climate disasters is staggering, often in the billions. But the true price is unseen: the long-term impacts on our health, housing, food security, and overall happiness. These costs stretch far beyond numbers.

Reflecting on the past, if we had started shifting from fossil fuels 30 years ago, we might live in a much safer climate today. Instead, we face summers full of evacuations instead of vacations.

The challenge is great, but it’s not insurmountable. Let’s work together to create a brighter, more sustainable future.

For a deeper understanding of the climate crisis, visit Climate.gov.

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Climate activists|Column|Vernon