Help tell Oxford’s local climate stories
New “Record Setting” campaign invites residents to share their experiences with extreme weather and a shifting climate
Oxford County is marking the first day of fall by launching a new storytelling project that invites residents to share their experiences with extreme weather events. Record Setting: Telling Oxford’s climate stories will collect firsthand accounts and materials that show how changing conditions are affecting people’s homes, health, work, and daily lives, helping document this new chapter in Oxford’s history for future generations.
Extreme heat, wildfire smoke, drought, flooding and severe storms are becoming an increasingly visible part of life in Oxford County. This past summer, Oxford experienced multiple periods of extreme heat, including temperatures forecast to reach as high as 36°C, heavy rainfall and an air-quality warning caused by wildfire smoke. Behind these warnings are personal experiences: disrupted work and outdoor activities, concerns about health, crops and animals, and anxiety about what changing conditions could mean for the future. These are the stories Oxford County aims to preserve.
Submissions can document major events or everyday moments. They could include:
- Written stories or journal entries
- Photographs and videos
- Screenshots of text messages or social media posts
- Images of storm damage, flooding, wildfire smoke or items damaged by extreme heat
- Personal accounts of the worry, disruption or uncertainty caused by changing climate
Everyone is welcome to participate, with farmers, business owners, outdoor workers, emergency responders, and others whose work or daily lives are particularly affected by extreme weather are encouraged to share their experiences.
Submissions will be transferred to Oxford County Archives for review and long-term preservation. They may also be shared through future educational initiatives, exhibitions or a future update to Oxford County’s Climate Action Plan.
There is no deadline to contribute. Visit Speak Up, Oxford! at www.oxfordcounty.ca/speakup to learn more and find out how to submit your climate story.