‘Towards climate resilient families’ – a study

Academics in Australia are investigating how urban-based families navigate the heat of summer and adapt to changing climates.

The city of Melbourne, and in particular its northern suburbs, is the focus of this study, which is being undertaken by researchers at the city’s RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) University.

Extreme heat events are likely to become more frequent and more severe with climate change, say researchers, with young children and minority groups more vulnerable to heat related illness.

“Low-income migrant and culturally, linguistically diverse women and children may be particularly impacted by gender blind behavioural ‘keep cool’ advice that treats heatwaves as short-term events and overlooks home-bound and time sensitive routines of families,” they add.

Local councils are highlighted as playing a role in joining with community partners, such as maternal child health and housing organisations, to deliver more family-sensitive heat health responses.

Lead investigator Dr Sarah Robertson and her research team hope that, through working with the local community and relevant stakeholders, they can shed some light on how families navigate summer heat, and what support is needed to ensure opportunities for shelter and climate adaptation.

Funding support is being provided by the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation Melbourne (LMCF) in collaboration with Merri-bek City Council and Sweltering Cities.

Through research with community members and local stakeholders, this research will shed light on how families navigate summer heat, and the supports needed to ensure opportunities for shelter and climate adaptation.