During spring and summer 2020, small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the Sierra Nevada Region of California experienced two major disruptive events: the largest wildfire season in recorded state history and the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. California Nevada Climate Adaptation Program (CNAP) researchers conducted a survey of 202 Sierra Nevada SMBs on the impacts of these events and on SMB planning and preparedness, response and recovery, and learning and change. Understanding how small- and medium-sized businesses are impacted by climate-related and other large-scale disruptive events is needed for the development of programming to support business resilience. The survey is the first phase of a two-part study, the objective of which is to identify the key capabilities and conditions that enable SMB resilience to multiple (or simultaneously occurring) disruptive events. Findings will be shared with Sierra Business Council and other partner organizations throughout the Sierra Nevada to inform programming to support business resilience. The project aligns with CPO’s goals to build pipelines of information that flow from scientists to decision-makers and for people, businesses, and the environment to thrive in the face of climate impacts.
Read the survey report and fact sheet here »
For more information, contact Kristin Vander Molen.
Image credit: Noah Berger/Associated Press
