To: Dr. Erika Paterson
From: Dakota Tryhuba, English 301 student
Date: February 23, 2019
Subject: Progress Report Memo
Audience
In my report, I am to assume that I am an advisor to the city council for the City of Montréal. I have been asked to research a recent controversy pertaining to heat waves and the urban heat island effect in Montréal and develop a short report on the issue that provides some recommendations for the city council to review.
Purpose
The purpose of my report is to:
• identify the causes and consequences of urban heat islands
• identify mitigation strategies within the development sector
• develop cogent, balanced, and well-supported recommendations
Significance
One of the most imminent consequences of climate change is the increased frequency and intensity of heat waves. Recent climate abnormalities in Montréal have led to unforeseen casualties amongst the local population, evidently becoming a very contentious issue in Canada. During the week of July 1 to July 8, 2018, heat indexes soared over 37℃, resulting in over 90 deaths throughout the province, leading many to speculate direct cause behind these heat-related fatalities, and it has also prompted an investigation on how the region should intervene more rapidly during these increasingly recurrent extreme weather events. Thus, further investigation of intervention methods is needed to prevent further casualties throughout the region during increased climate abnormalities.
Research Plan
- Identify information needed to formulate interview questions (completed)
- Obtain contact information (in progress) – Names of contacts are known; however, I still need to look up their email addresses/phone numbers.
- Refine research questions (in progress) – I have provided some preliminary questions for the selected individuals and I will continue to refine these as I do more research on the issue.
- Contact interviewees with the interview questions (not started)
- Compile and analyze primary data (not started)
- Compile and analyze secondary sources and summarize information (not started)
- Finalize formal report draft (not started)
Writing Schedule
Contact interviewees: Feb. 25 – Mar. 1
Compile and analyze data: Mar. 4 – 15
Compile a list of recommendations: Mar. 18 – 22
Complete Formal Report Draft: Mar. 22 – 29
Complete Final Revision of Formal Report: Apr. 1 – 10
I’ve attached a document containing my ethical introduction and interview questions. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding my report progress. Thank you for your time.
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