What we heard

Why we engaged

As part of developing the Climate Change Adaptation Plan, the City of Kingston, in partnership with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Canada, conducted a Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (VRA) to identify the most significant impacts of climate change in Kingston. Members of the Climate Change Adaptation Plan Working Group, including City staff, community partners and local organizations, used climate projections and a risk analysis framework to identify eighteen climate risks that could have serious social, economic and environmental effects on our community.

The VRA survey aimed to validate the results of the VRA undertaken by the working group, gain insight into the risks that our community is most concerned about, and gather input on the actions that should be taken address those risks.

How we engaged

The survey was open for three weeks on Get Involved Kingston. It consisted of seven total questions, asking participants to: share which places and spaces they loved in our community; select which five of the eighteen impacts they believed to the highest risks; rank a list of actions and strategies our community could take to address those risks; and self-identify demographics including age and type of household.

The survey was shared with community members in a variety of ways, including:

  • Pop-up booths at libraries, recreational facilities and markets across the City

  • Printed posters and postcards distributed at libraries, recreational facilities and community message boards

  • Social media promotion across the City of Kingston’s Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter) and LinkedIn channels

  • A news release to promote media coverage of the survey, which was picked up by three local news outlets

  • Digital screens on City and library networks

  • Inclusion in newsletters for both internal (City staff) and external (Climate Action subscribers) audiences

  • Paid advertising including strategically placed Curbex signage and print ads published in Kingston This Week

  • Direct contact with stakeholders including members of the Climate Leadership Working Group, Issues Tables and identified external organizations

Who we heard from

  • 258 engaged participants completed the survey

  • 57 per cent of respondents were above 55 years of age

  • 83 per cent selected “single-detached dwelling, semi-detached duplex, triplex” as the type of household they reside in

  • Locations:

    • 34 per cent Soutwest Kingston (K7M)

    • 28 per cent Central-East Kingston (K7K)

    • 17 per cent Central-South Kingston (K7L)

    • 13 per cent Northwest Kingston (K7P)

    • 5 per cent Rural Kingston (K0H)

    • 2 per cent Other

  • 1,762 aware participants visited the project page to learn more about the Climate Change Adaptation Plan

  • 24 participants engaged with the City for the first time via Get Involved Kingston

What we heard

The following is a summary of responses and themes identified by staff in the survey and from open feedback questions. A complete breakdown of survey responses can be seen below in Exhibit A. For a copy of all verbatim text feedback, please email GetInvolvedKingston@CityofKingston.ca.

Places and Spaces (Question 1)

When identifying the various places and spaces they love in the community, participants selected natural spaces most often. The top locations selected were:

  • Shoreline and waterfront (selected by 91 per cent of participants)

  • Trails and forests (selected by 89 per cent of participants)

  • Parks: playgrounds, outdoor seating areas, community gardens, etc. (selected by 84 per cent of participants)

  • Residential buildings: your home, your neighbours’ and loved ones’ homes (selected by 82 per cent of participants)


Chart depicting places and spaces selected by respondents.

Figure A: Chart depicting places and spaces selected by respondents.

Climate Risks (Question 2)

When ranking the environmental, social and economic risks in our community, the concerns selected most often focused on the health impacts of higher temperatures, extreme weather and precipitation. Infrastructure damage was also identified as a high-impact risk. The 5 most selected impacts were:

  • Increase in temperatures leading to greater wildfire risk and worsening air quality, impacting health, especially for vulnerable populations (seniors, socially isolated, children, those with chronic health conditions, low-income households, etc.).

    • Selected by 57 per cent of participants

  • Increase in hot days (days above 30°C) causing heatwaves and poor air quality, leading to health risks, especially for vulnerable populations (seniors, socially isolated, children, those with chronic health conditions, low-income households, etc.).

    • Selected by 48 per cent of participants

  • Increase in extreme weather events leading to higher mental and physical health impacts, especially for vulnerable populations (seniors, socially isolated, children, those with chronic health conditions, low-income households, etc.).

    • Selected by 37 per cent of participants

  • Increase in extreme weather events causing damage to power lines and utility infrastructure, leading to more power outages and service interruptions.

    • Selected by 37 per cent of participants

  • Increase in precipitation creating ideal conditions for insects and pests like mosquitoes and ticks, increasing the spread of vector-borne diseases (e.g. Lyme Disease, West Nile Virus, etc.).

    • Selected by 34 per cent of participants


Figure B: Chart depicting high-priority impacts selected by respondents.

Strategies and Actions (Questions 3 and 4)

Value scores were assigned to responses using the following system: "Very important" x 5, "Somewhat important" x 4, "Neutral" x 3, "Somewhat unimportant x 2, "Very unimportant" x 1.

The following Government-Led Actions and Strategies were ranked as most important:

  • Green Infrastructure Projects: Develop green infrastructure like wetlands, parks and greenways to manage floodwaters and provide recreational spaces. (Value score: 1195)

  • Reducing Urban Heat Island: Increase the use of cool roofs, green roofs and reflective pavement to reduce urban heat. (Value score: 1090)

  • Retrofit Programs: Create programs that provide financial incentives for homeowners to make energy-efficient upgrades and flood-proof their homes. (Value score: 1081)

  • Climate Data Monitoring: Establish a system for tracking climate-related data to inform future adaptation efforts and policy decisions. (Value score: 1075)

The following Community-Led Actions and Strategies were ranked as most important:

  • Home Energy Efficiency and Resiliency: Upgrade insulation, windows and heating/cooling systems to reduce energy consumption and improve comfort during extreme weather. (Value score: 1132)

  • Lot Level Flood Preparedness: Implement measures such as installing rain barrels, permeable pavements and landscaping with native plants to reduce flooding on personal properties. (Value score: 1068)

Other Considerations for the Climate Change Adaptation Plan (Question 5)

The following themes were most common across verbatim text comments:

  • Transportation (including improving cycling infrastructure, incentivizing transit, upgrading traffic lights, etc.): 41 comments

  • Climate Programs (including education, incentives, data collection, etc.): 40 comments

  • Infrastructure (including water systems, electricity production, etc.): 30 comments

Next Steps

The results from this public engagement will be shared with the Climate Adaptation Working Group and the ICLEI project team. Feedback received will be considered for the development of Kingston’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan, which will include comprehensive implementation considerations. The plan is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025.

Exhibit A: Survey Overview

Question 1: Which place and spaces do you love in our community? Think of various social, economic, built or natural spaces in the Kingston area. Select all that apply.

  • 210 participants (82 per cent) selected “Residential buildings: your home, your neighbours’ and loved ones’ homes”

  • 217 participants (84 per cent ) selected “Parks: playgrounds, outdoor seating areas, community gardens, etc.”

  • 228 participants (89 per cent) selected “Trails and forests”

  • 233 participants (91 per cent) selected “Shoreline and waterfront”

  • 142 participants (56 per cent) selected “Agricultural land and gardens”

  • 167 participants (65 per cent) selected “Community buildings: recreational facilities, libraries, churches, etc.”

  • 99 participants (39 per cent) selected “Schools and workplaces”

  • 134 participants (52 per cent) selected “Businesses: retail spaces, restaurants, service providers, etc.”

  • 163 participants (64 per cent) selected “Arts & Culture venues: theatres, music venues, galleries, museums, etc.”

  • 148 participants (58 per cent) selected “Hospitals and care facilities”

  • 148 participants (58 per cent) selected “Transportation infrastructure: roads, sidewalks and bike lanes’

  • 11 Participants (4 per cent) selected “Other”

Question 2: The following list of 18 impact statements were identified by the Climate Change Adaptation Working Group as having social, economic and environmental risks in our community. Take a moment to read through and reflect on each high-priority impact. Select which 5 risks you are most concerned about.

Extreme Weather

  • 95 participants (37 per cent) selected “Increase in extreme weather events leading to higher mental and physical health impacts, especially for vulnerable populations (seniors, socially isolated, children, those with chronic health conditions, low-income households, etc.).”

  • 51 participants (20 per cent) selected “Increase in extreme weather events causing damage to trees, leading to changes in plant and tree species in the area (e.g. birch and pine start disappearing from the area).”

  • 72 participants (28 per cent) selected “Increase in extreme weather events causing shoreline erosion and destruction of habitats, impacting ecosystems, fishing, and farming.”

  • 46 participants (18 per cent) selected “Increase in extreme weather events causing hazardous travel conditions (e.g. cars, bikes, walking, etc.) due to rapid melting and refreezing.”

  • 93 participants (37 per cent) selected “Increase in extreme weather events causing damage to power lines and utility infrastructure, leading to more power outages and service interruptions.”

Extreme Weather and Precipitation

  • 11 participants (4 per cent) selected “Increase in wind events and heavy rainfall causing flooding and disruptions to ferry and boat operations (e.g. to Rideau Canal to the Thousand Islands), impacting the local economy.”

  • 31 participants (12 per cent) selected “Increase in extreme rainfall leading to prolonged flooding, affecting transportation and marine infrastructure.”

Temperature and Precipitation

  • 147 participants (57 per cent) selected “Increase in temperatures leading to greater wildfire risk and worsening air quality, impacting health, especially for vulnerable populations (seniors, socially isolated, children, those with chronic health conditions, low-income households, etc.).”

  • 71 participants (28 per cent) selected “Increase in temperatures disrupting plant growth cycles, impacting agriculture and reducing crop yields.”

  • 68 participants (27 per cent) selected “Increase in temperatures causing changes in species distribution and stunted vegetation growth, leading to reduced pollination and wildlife populations.”

  • 87 participants (34 per cent) selected “Increase in precipitation creating ideal conditions for insects and pests like mosquitoes and ticks, increasing the spread of vector-borne diseases (e.g. Lyme Disease, West Nile Virus, etc.).”

Precipitation

  • 72 participants (28 per cent) selected “Increase in precipitation causing roof leaks, flooding, and damage to private assets and infrastructure (i.e. homes, basement apartments, businesses, marine infrastructure, property, products/inventory, etc.) and higher insurance rates/premiums.”

  • 48 participants (19 per cent) selected “Increase in precipitation causing more runoff of contaminants into waterways, reducing water quality and harming wildlife habitats.”

Temperature

  • 122 participants (48 per cent) selected “Increase in hot days (days above 30°C) causing heatwaves and poor air quality, leading to health risks, especially for vulnerable populations (seniors, socially isolated, children, those with chronic health conditions, low-income households, etc.).”

  • 80 participants (31 per cent) selected “Increase in temperatures causing lakes to heat up, leading to algae blooms and deteriorating water quality, impacting wildlife and rural and/or indigenous communities relying on these water sources for hunting/fishing.”

  • 68 participants (27 per cent) selected “Increase in hot days (days above 30°C) increasing demand on the electric grid, leading to more power outages and service disruptions.”

  • 17 participants (7 per cent) selected “Increase in hot days (days above 30°C) reducing use of outdoor spaces and disrupting community events and tourism.”

  • 66 participants (26 per cent) selected “Increase in temperatures stressing forests and wetlands, leading to tree die-back and increased spread of diseases and pests e.g., emerald ash borer, oakwood fungus, etc.).”

Question 3: The following is a list of Government-Led Actions and Strategies. Rank each action from very important to very unimportant.

Retrofit Programs: Create programs that provide financial incentives for homeowners to make energy-efficient upgrades and flood-proof their homes.

  • 136 participants (53 per cent) selected “Very important”

  • 74 participants (29 per cent) selected “Somewhat important”

  • 23 participants (9 per cent) selected “Neutral”

  • 12 participants (5 per cent) selected “Somewhat unimportant”

  • 12 participants (5 per cent) selected “Very unimportant”

Reducing Urban Heat Island: Increase the use of cool roofs, green roofs, and reflective pavements to reduce urban heat.

  • 139 participants (54 per cent) selected “Very important”

  • 70 participants (27 per cent) selected “Somewhat important”

  • 27 participants (11 per cent) selected “Neutral”

  • 13 participants (5 per cent) selected “Somewhat unimportant”

  • 8 participants (3 per cent) selected “Very unimportant”

Community Education Campaigns: Launch campaigns to educate the public about climate risks and how to prepare for them.

  • 118 participants (46 per cent) selected “Very important”

  • 66 participants (26 per cent) selected “Somewhat important”

  • 36 participants (14 per cent) selected “Neutral”

  • 21 participants (8 per cent) selected “Somewhat unimportant”

  • 16 participants (6 per cent) selected “Very unimportant”

Public Health Campaigns: Educate residents on the importance of using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing to prevent vector-borne diseases.

  • 42 participants (16 per cent) selected “Very important”

  • 109 participants (42 per cent) selected “Somewhat important”

  • 64 participants (25 per cent) selected “Neutral”

  • 29 participants (11 per cent) selected “Somewhat unimportant”

  • 13 participants (5 per cent) selected “Very unimportant”

Climate Data Monitoring: Establish a system for tracking climate-related data to inform future adaptation efforts and policy decisions.

  • 137 participants (54 per cent) selected “Very important”

  • 68 participants (26 per cent) selected “Somewhat important”

  • 29 participants (11 per cent) selected “Neutral”

  • 12 participants (5 per cent) selected “Somewhat unimportant”

  • 11 participants (4 per cent) selected “Very unimportant”

Green Infrastructure Projects: Develop green infrastructure like wetlands, parks, and greenways to manage floodwaters and provide recreational spaces.

  • 201 participants (78 per cent) selected “Very important”

  • 38 participants (15 per cent) selected “Somewhat important”

  • 10 participants (4 per cent) selected “Neutral”

  • 5 participants (2 per cent) selected “Somewhat unimportant”

  • 3 participants (1 per cent) selected “Very unimportant”

Question 4. The following is a list of Community-Led Actions and Strategies. Rank each action from very important to very unimportant.

Lot Level Flood Preparedness: Implement measures such as installing rain barrels, permeable pavements, and landscaping with native plants to reduce flooding on personal properties.

  • 113 participants (44 per cent) selected “Very important”

  • 100 participants (39 per cent) selected “Somewhat important”

  • 24 participants (9 per cent) selected “Neutral”

  • 13 participants (5 per cent) selected “Somewhat unimportant”

  • 7 participants (3 per cent) selected “Very unimportant”

Home Energy Efficiency and Resiliency: Upgrade insulation, windows, and heating/cooling systems to reduce energy consumption and improve comfort during extreme weather.

  • 150 participants (58 per cent) selected “Very important”

  • 81 participants (32 per cent) selected “Somewhat important”

  • 17 participants (7 per cent) selected “Neutral”

  • 3 participants (1 per cent) selected “Somewhat unimportant”

  • 6 participants (2 per cent) selected “Very unimportant”

Community Gardens: Participate in or start community gardens to increase local food production and reduce the carbon footprint.

  • 103 participants (40 per cent) selected “Very important”

  • 87 participants (33 per cent) selected “Somewhat important”

  • 45 participants (18 per cent) selected “Neutral”

  • 8 participants (3 per cent) selected “Somewhat unimportant”

  • 14 participants (5 per cent) selected “Very unimportant”

Heat Safety Practices: Adopt personal heat safety measures such as staying hydrated, using fans, and checking on vulnerable neighbors during heatwaves.

  • 89 participants (34 per cent) selected “Very important”

  • 97 participants (38 per cent) selected “Somewhat important”

  • 52 participants (20 per cent) selected “Neutral”

  • 14 participants (5 per cent) selected “Somewhat unimportant”

  • 5 participants (2 per cent) selected “Very unimportant”

Remove Standing Water: Regularly remove standing water around homes to reduce the risk of mosquito breeding and the spread of vector-borne diseases.

  • 88 participants (34 per cent) selected “Very important”

  • 103 participants (40 per cent) selected “Somewhat important”

  • 43 participants (17 per cent) selected “Neutral”

  • 17 participants (7 per cent) selected “Somewhat unimportant”

  • 6 participants (2 per cent) selected “Very unimportant”

Question 5: Is there anything else that you would like considered in the Climate Change Adaptation Plan?

The following themes emerged from the text comments:

Biodiversity (9 comments)

  • “We should be looking at the prevalence of invasive species which push out the native flora and fauna and decrease diversification leading to more pests, more vulnerable landscapes, contaminated water, etc.”

Bylaw and enforcement (20 comments)

  • The city should consider relaxing by-laws relating to food self-sufficiency - for example it should be easier for us to keep a few chickens for eggs.”

  • Lower speed limits to reduce emissions”

Climate Programs including education, initiatives, data and monitoring, etc. (40 comments)

  • “A project to monitor temperature in schools and school yards”

  • “I would like property owners to be encouraged to plant native species to support pollinators and keep our local ecosystems healthy.”

  • “Establish a green municipal bond program that targets investors interested in sustainable and resilient infrastructure projects.”

Development (27 comments)

  • “We need to revise the building code to reward "building up" (multi-story rather than horizontally sprawling buildings).”

  • “All new building projects consider either green roofs and/or solar roofs”

  • “Modifying zoning laws to allow for denser land use, decreasing the need to drive for groceries and basic products.”

Economic Considerations (10 comments)

  • The city needs to try and implement these strategies without raising taxes. People are just getting by, even people with decent jobs.”

  • New business and job opportunities related to climate change adaptation/mitigation should be identified and created to couple economic activity directly with these goals.

Emergency Response (12 comments)

  • I would like the city to have a protocol for extreme weather events that involves ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations (including the unhoused) and recommending businesses close or that remote work be done if outdoor conditions are dangerous.

  • Address all public urban areas susceptible to flooding now

  • “Make everyone aware of tornado vulnerability and what could be done to reduce damage”

Energy (24 comments)

  • Strong endorsement of solar panel and energy storage to promote energy independence for each house/building."

  • Prohibit natural gas in new buildings

Events (2 comments)

  • “I think the City should look carefully at some of the practices that have serious consequences to the environment and impact climate change. - the Poker Run is known to have significant negative impact and yet it’s a City-endorsed activity”

  • “Encourage more local farm market days”

Food Security/Agriculture (5 comments)

  • “We need to plan for failures of field crops caused by heat and water imbalances.”

  • “We need to increase community gardens, food forests, and general food production in all city land including boulevards and road sides.”

  • Transportation is a pretty small part of the carbon footprint of food, so eating local doesn’t actually make that much of a difference. It is much more important to eat less red meat - ideally choosing vegetable protein sources, but even switching from red meat to chicken makes a huge difference.”

Healthcare (5 comments)

  • “Protect the hospital”

  • “Measures to increase public awareness of the uncomfortable fact that the air we breathe in Kingston is far less pristine than most of us assume and is more often than not hazardous to our long-term health.”

Housing (20 comments)

  • “Create affordable housing. Provide all community members with a safe space to call their home. Our unhoused population is growing and they are extremely vulnerable living on the street or in crammed shelters”

  • “The City should be much more proactive about building and home retrofits. Don’t just provide financial incentives — work on retrofitting every home in a systematic way.”

Incentives (24 comments)

  • “Smart thermostat incentive program”

  • “Incentives for people to leave their car at home more often and take the bus!

Infrastructure (30 comments)

  • Separation of septic and storm water sewer systems

  • “Increased public access EV charging infrastructure.”

Partnerships: governmental, institutional, organizational, etc. (9 comments)

  • Partnerships and funding with local organizations to aid in implementing some of these measures - like install of rain gardens"

  • “Strive to establish a formal international, Kingston based Climate and Environment Sustainability Research Centre that could also partner with all regional educational institutions like those already operating in some key cities across North America.”

Methodology, survey and plan process (12 comments)

  • “It was hard to pick 5 things I'm most concerned about. I'm extremely concerned about the loss of biodiversity and impacts of climate change on the natural world beyond humans. However, I know that the Earth will survive beyond humans' existence here, and so I answered through the lens of what issues are going to be most felt by me as long as we continue to occupy the earth. But that lens feels very shortsighted.”

  • “The role of a municipality in climate change adaptation is limited, and its not a great idea to take on more responsibility than needed (province and feds should do their part).”

Parks, forests, natural spaces (9 comments)

  • “Adding and improving shade structures in parks”

  • “Preservation of wetlands in/around the Kingston area with a view to controlling mosquitos and other pests through frogs/toads.”

  • “We need more forests in areas such as schoolyards, areas now are largely unusable because of large open areas.”

Social services/programs (14 comments)

  • Have cooling centers for this without A/C”

  • “Have trained emergency teams on call to help homeless people during extreme climate events.”

Transportation (41 comments)

  • “Bus only lanes. Traffic signal priority for public transit.”

  • “Install/upgrade traffic lights that are better timed along main roads.”

  • “Improve infrastructure for bike usage”

Tree planting and conservation (22 comments)

  • “Stop cutting down trees. There seems to be an increase in people cutting down trees on their property with no repercussions. If we want our neighborhoods to be greener, cooler and have more oxygen the city should forbid tree cutting unless tree is diseased or blocking hydro lines.”

  • Double down on tree planting using the model of Little Forests

  • Look at how other cities are issuing fines for tree removal without replanting.

For a copy of all verbatim text feedback, please email GetInvolvedKingston@CityofKingston.ca.

Question 6: What is your age?

  • 7 participants (3 per cent) selected “18-24”

  • 26 participants (10 per cent) selected “25-34”

  • 50 participants (20 per cent) selected “35-44”

  • 26 participants selected (10 per cent) “45-54”

  • 54 participants selected (21 per cent) “55-44”

  • 90 participants selected (36 per cent) “65”

Question 7: What type of dwelling do you reside in?

  • 210 participants (83 per cent) selected “single-detached, dwelling, semi-detached duplex, triplex”

  • 23 participants (9 per cent) selected “apartment of flat in a duplex”

  • 18 participants (7 per cent) selected “multi-residential dwelling”

  • 0 participants selected “mobile home”

  • 0 participants selected “other movable dwelling”


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