Survey: Has your livelihood or business been affected by climate change?

This ABCD survey was included in our February 2022 newsletter, complementing the Farmer Panel Discussion we held with local farmers on how climate change was affecting their livelihoods. 

Of the 2 survey respondents, one said “Yes” to livelihood/business being affected by climate change; the other said “Maybe” (this second person noted they are retired).

1. Tell us more about how your business or job has been affected by climate change.

I sense that this is intended as a narrow lens question, in that there are many careers and societal roles that are not aptly characterized as either "livelihood" or "business." Precision and context would help, as the question invites a bit of interpretation and presumption. I don't wish for a "No" answer to be interpreted as equivalent to saying "Climate change doesn't have an impact on human society." Further, let's say that I'm a school nurse who sees the socio-emotional impacts on the children of someone whose livelihood is impacted by climate change (in fishing or agriculture, e.g.). Is that tantamount to saying that I am "affected by climate change?" As powerful as individual narratives are, I think we should focus data--not interpretation.

2. What things have you done to adapt or cope with these effects of climate change on your business or livelihood?

Again, working around your language: I have built an energy efficient home; I installed a photovoltaic solar array the supplies all my electricity needs; I grow a significant percentage of the food I consume; I drive a car that achieves 40 mpg; I try not to support companies and stores whose shelves are stocked with products made on the other side of the globe (and thus with entailed negative environmental costs); I try to learn more about and advocate for policies that show promise for mitigating the negative effects of climate change (such as the carbon fee and dividend); I try to avoid products with plastic packaging; I compost.