Step 2: Identify Concerns and Gather Information

In this step, you will identify the community’s concerns and gather the information that will help you to understand the challenges your community faces now and will likely face in the future.

Guiding Questions

• How can you leverage community conversations already happening about past and future concerns?
• Have any major shock events shaped the way the community is thinking about disasters, climate change, or community stressors?
• Are there existing programs or plans in your community that are already addressing identified community concerns?
• Are there existing stressors in your community that climate change could exacerbate?
• Are there key climate-related thresholds that could significantly shape your community’s concerns if crossed?
• What sectors will be most impacted by a shock event, stressor, or the changing climate?
• Are you using the best available data and information?

Checklist for Step 2

• Activity 1: Gather Information About Current Conditions and Historical Trends
• Activity 2: Gather Information About Future Changes to Your Community
• Activity 3: Identify Key Community Concerns
• Activity 4: Establish Vision, Goals, and Guiding Principles