The co-author of a recent University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) report says more work needs to be done to address future extreme weather events.
The report, titled “Extreme Heat Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning,” was conducted on behalf of Leq’a:mel First Nation and the City of Mission.
“The extreme heat risk map produced [in the report] was based on the details of the unprecedented and lethal heat dome in the Fraser Valley from June 25 to July 1, 2021,” and then compared various climate projection models against the actual extreme heat risk that occurred three years ago, according to the report.
“The changes that are coming with climate change are massive,” said Dr. Afia Raja, a co-author of the report, and the head of UFV’s Planning, Geography and Environmental Sciences department.
“In our research, we saw that our preparedness plan was very, very weak, and whatever was done was a reaction,” Raja said.
