A new data tool is helping communities in the Columbia Basin build climate resilience, thanks to its ability to translate climate projections into practical information.
The Risk Analysis Calculator, part of the Columbia Basin Climate Source, uses historical data to estimate the likelihood of future climate conditions and whether these conditions will exceed key thresholds, helping users understand the risks their projects may face.
“The results are helpful for planners, infrastructure managers, farmers, builders, and other professionals who want to design products or programs that can withstand our future climate,” said Lauren Rethoret. “This tool helps reduce the level of uncertainty that is typically associated with climate change data… That uncertainty can make it really difficult to have the confidence you need to make decisions.”
Rethoret and Jonathan Doyle, Faculty Researchers at Selkirk Innovates, shared the new tool with the RDCK board of directors during its July 16 regular meeting.
“One of the key pieces of value [the calculator] offers is that the data is highly localized to our communities,” said Rethoret. “It’s really a made-in-the-Kootenays product.”
The tool is powered by the Localized Climate Analysis Projection (LCAP), originally developed by Nelson-based Climatic Resources Consulting.
Selkirk Innovates has been redesigning the calculator for the Columbia Basin Climate Source – a one-stop resource for climate change information for communities in the Columbia Basin-Boundary region. The redesign has focused on making the tool more appealing and accessible to non-technical users.
Now, it’s ready for local governments, said Rethoret, since many of their services are highly affected by climate change. She asked the RDCK directors to share the tool with RDCK staff. She and Doyle were also seeking input for expanding the tool – other communities to include, or new indicators to add.
The tool is currently available to nine Basin communities – Nakusp, Nelson, Castlegar, Creston, Cranbrook, Fernie, Golden, Revelstoke, and Trail. It can calculate for three indicators – hottest daytime temperature, heat warning, and maximum one-day precipitation.
What makes the Risk Analysis Calculator unique from other available climate data tools is that it’s based on probabilities and risk, rather than long-term averages.
“It’s a different way of looking at statistics but a pretty meaningful way because this is an actual tangible and realistic thing,” said Doyle.
Doyle shared an example. A builder is designing a structure that’s expected to last 50 years. With the calculator, they could determine that, to be 95% confident the building can withstand future heat, the materials should be able to tolerate daytime temperatures of up to 46 degrees Celsius.
Check it out
The new tool is part of the Columbia Basin Climate Source – an initiative of the Columbia Basin Trust developed by Selkirk Innovates.
In addition to the Risk Analysis Calculator, the site offers two other data tools: climate change projections, to explore historic and future climate indicators for any part of the Basin; and community profiles, which offer summaries of how key climate indicators will change.
Alongside the data are resources on common climate actions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, information on why to take action, and examples of climate solutions created by local residents, governments, businesses, and community organizations.
Visit basinclimatesource.ca.
By Rachael Lesosky, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Aug 13, 2026 at 19:20
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