Climate vulnerability assessment & experimentation with Southwestern Public Health

In 2023, Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) in partnership with the University of Waterloo’s Climate Institute, conducted an in-depth assessment of climate-related health risks and vulnerabilities for SWPH.  A second phase of the partnership between SWPH and the Climate Institute focused on designing an experiment to operationalize and implement selected recommendations from the vulnerability assessment report. Specifically, to address extreme heat risks of selected vulnerable populations in the region. 

The experiment methodology was designed using a team-based approach involving multiple organizations. This methodology was developed and previously tested in multiple cities by the TRANSFORM research team at the University of Waterloo The design of the experiment drew on the pathway mapping and amplification of climate solutions methodology (DiBella and Burch 2025*) designed to combine technical and social activities to develop practical climate interventions. This model served as a roadmap, guiding the project team through the design, community engagements, and the integration of shared learning opportunities among participants and staff. 

In the SWPH and the Waterloo Climate Institute partnership, researchers played a key role in helping actionable knowledge emerge from the interactions among multiple actors sharing diverse forms of knowledge, experiences, and practices. Researchers became part of the team, bringing a learning-focused approach driven by sustainability science. 

A community heat risk reduction and climate adaptation solution was co-produced through collaboration with partners, community participants, researchers, health experts and students. The result is a climate solution which is expected to serve as a visible example of climate action in the region of Oxford County, Elgin Country and the City of St. Thomas. The winning design, The Gardening Well, was selected for its thoughtful, creative, and sustainable design. Overall, this project highlights the shift from technical fixes to socially responsive interventions, prioritizing the needs of vulnerable populations and ensuring broad community benefits and social learning.  

Waterloo Climate Institute Member Contributions