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Benchmarking Active Transportation in Canadian Cities: Report Highlights
September 23, 2011
Highlights from a TCAT report released in 2010 comparing the performance of active transportation in Toronto against other cities in Canada, the United States and Europe using key indicators as benchmarks. This paper will be presented at the Walk 21 Conference in Vancouver, BC on October 4, 2011 and published in their proceedings.
Climate Change Adaptation and Health Equity Workshop Report
July 13, 2011
On May 24, 2011, Clean Air Partnership (CAP) and Toronto Public Health (TPH) jointly organized and hosted a Climate Change Adaptation and Health Equity workshop in order to initiate a broader discussion and subsequent action toward climate change adaptation and health equity. The workshop results will be of use to municipalities, NGO’s and other sectors who work with vulnerable populations.
Climate Change Adaptation and Health Equity Background Report
June 2, 2011

The Climate Change Adaptation and Health Equity Background Report explores information on climate change adaptation and health equity to ensure that Toronto’s adaptation efforts do not further widen the health inequality gap. This report focuses primarily on research that is relevant to a first-world, urban city.

Prepared For: Healthy Public Policy Team, Toronto Public Health

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Cool Roofs

Cool roofs use materials that reflect solar energy and reduce the transfer of heat to interior spaces. The roof stays cooler and so does the house.

There are two basic characteristics
that determine the ‘coolness’ of a roof.

Solar reflectance (also called albedo) is
the percentage of solar energy reflected
by a surface.

Thermal emittance is the percentage of energy a material can radiate (not reflect) away.

Cool roof products for residential buildings include clay tiles, metal coatings and composite shingles. Until recently, traditional cool roofs were white in colour, but new cool roof products have become available in a variety of colours and look
just like standard roofs.

Why Install a Cool Roof?
Traditional roofing materials heat up considerably in the sun. Hot temperatures can shorten the life of the roof itself, as well as raise temperatures in the house. Cool roofs can reduce these problems significantly.

Cool roofs are an effective way of reducing the urban heat island and can generate a number of benefits for homeowners and communities, including improved comfort, reduced energy use, peak energy demand, air pollution and GHG emissions as well as increased roof durability.Unfortunately, there are no official labeling programs to designate cool roof materials in Canada. Homeowners are encouraged to consider the cooling properties of roofing materials when installing a new roof.

Cool Roof Photos Source: Interlock Roofing Ltd.