Hey Danvers! Today, we are talking about climate resilience.
What is climate resilience? Great question!
“Resilience” is a term often used in discussing climate change actions. Climate change resilience is the ability of a community to adapt and thrive in the face of extreme shocks and stresses. Resilient communities anticipate risks, plan to limit their impacts and adopt strategies that integrate all community systems – civic, environmental, social and economic – to mitigate and support recovery from extreme events while providing a good quality of life.
So, key to climate resilience is:
- Preparedness
- Anticipation
- Adaptation
Let’s look at three actions you can take at home today to build up your climate resilience:
1. Build an emergency kit
Prepping an emergency kit is an easy way to ensure you and your family are ready for any situation – including climate hazards like floods, storms, and extreme heat. The Danvers Emergency Management Office provides a detailed list of everything you will need for your kit, including:
- Important documents
- Clothing
- Non-perishable food
- Basic tools
- Sleeping supplies
- Eating supplies
And more! Check the list out here.
2. Sign up for emergency alerts
Making sure you are always up to date on local announcements ensures that when a hazard occurs, you will be informed as soon as possible. That extra time can be crucial! It can be the difference between driving to work on a dangerous flooded road and knowing to stay home and seal your basement.
There are two ways to access important alerts in Danvers:
- Sign up for Blackboard via Danvers MyConnect for traditional town-wide emergency announcements
- Sign up for Notify Me for important municipal notices on a departmental level
3. Learn how to prep your home for emergencies
Alerts and kits are no good if your home floods! Whether you are a homeowner or renters, it is vital to learn how to make your home as resilient as possible to the impacts of a changing climate. Take advantage of Ready.gov’s “Are You Ready?” Guide. It has everything you need to know about protecting your space, like weatherproofing and insulating for cold/heat.
Inspired to build up your climate resilience today? Check out more actions on the What You Can Do page here on the Resilient Danvers dashboard!
Remember, you can stay informed on everything climate, resilience, and sustainability in Danvers by checking back on this dashboard often!