Canadians feel climate change will lead to more serious natural disasters
According to a new study commissioned by the Ontario Science Centre, 76 per cent of Canadians feel that natural disasters are occurring more frequently and also believe that climate change will lead to more serious occurrences in the future. Ironically, despite this concern, one in three Canadians say they do not know what supplies they would need to get through an emergency.
“This study shows us that Canadians have a gap in their knowledge about what to do if faced with a natural disaster,” said Lesley Lewis, CEO, Ontario Science Centre. “These findings make our upcoming exhibition Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters even more relevant. It’s our opportunity to educate the public on natural disasters in a compelling and engaging way.”
When it comes to emergency preparedness, the study found that most Canadians believe they have enough food, water and supplies to last the recommended 72 hours in case of an emergency. However, one in five Canadians say they will not be able to reach the 72-hour mark.
The study was prepared in time for the upcoming launch of the Ontario Science Centre’s new temporary exhibition, Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters, opening February 11. The exhibition features activities and educational material on natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes and tornadoes and how people cope and adapt in the aftermath of such disasters. Activities include: an interactive display of real-time earthquake activity across the globe, a build-your-own volcano station, the stories of Hurricane Katrina survivors and a station that makes you feel as though you are in the centre of a tornado.
Additional Survey Highlights:
- 76 per cent of Canadians also either strongly agree or somewhat agree that climate change will lead to more serious natural disasters in the future.
- One in four Canadians believe major natural disasters such as floods or tornadoes are likely to pose a risk to their households in the next few years.
- 22 per cent of Canadians think an earthquake is likely to pose a risk to their home in the next five years.
- 15 per cent of Canadians believe a hurricane is likely to pose a risk to their home in the next five years.
- Regional perceptions of these risks vary significantly – earthquakes are of concern to the majority of British Columbians; while for most Atlantic Canadians, hurricanes are a major concern. In Ontario 29 per cent say a tornado is likely to pose a risk to their homes.
- Older Canadians and female Canadians are somewhat more likely to say disasters are more frequent and more likely to pose a risk to their households.
- 82 per cent of women either strongly agree or somewhat agree that natural disasters are occurring more frequently compared with only 68% of men.
This exhibition and its national tour were developed by the Field Museum, Chicago.
Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is the national tour sponsor.
