For immediate release
May 31, 2006
Report Shows Toronto's Vulnerability to Climate Change
TORONTO – The Clean Air Partnership has released a report on the expected impacts of climate change on Toronto, Eva Ligeti, Executive Director announced today.
“Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing humanity today,” says Ligeti. “Cities such as Toronto are especially vulnerable given their concentration of people, property, wealth, and aging infrastructure.”
The report titled A Scan of Climate Change Impacts on Toronto outlines how Toronto’s climate is already changing, what further changes are likely in the medium term, and the impacts these changes could have on the city and its inhabitants.
The intense rainfall that hit southern Ontario on August 19 last year is an example of the type of storm that could become commonplace in Toronto in the future. The storm flooded hundreds of basements and washed out a section of Finch Avenue taking out gas lines, communication cables, and sewage pipes. Costs totaled $500 million, making this the most expensive weather disaster in Ontario to date.
Climate models also predict that water levels in Lake Ontario could drop by as much as half a meter by 2050, affecting hydroelectric power production, shipping, aquatic wildlife, and tourism and recreation.
By 2080 we are likely to see more prolonged and intense heat waves, with more than 50 days a year of temperatures above 30°C. This could result in a tripling of heat-related deaths and a 25% increase in air pollution-related deaths.
The report reinforces the urgency of climate change as an issue for Toronto, and the need for the City to work to reduce the vulnerability of its citizens to climate impacts.
The Impacts Scan is the first part of a four phase project, Adapting to Climate Change in Toronto, undertaken by the Clean Air Partnership (CAP) in collaboration with the City of Toronto. CAP researchers are currently completing a report about the work of other major cities to reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts. In the next few months, City staff will be involved in identifying key strategies to adapt to climate change. The last phase of work will create a menu of adaptation options for two strategic areas of impact.
Contact:
Eva Ligeti
Clean Air Partnership
For more information visit www.cleanairpartnership.org
The Clean Air Partnership is a registered charity that works in partnership to promote and coordinate actions to improve local air quality and reduce greenhouse gases for healthy communities. This report was made possible with the financial support of the Government of Canada’s Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Program and the Toronto Atmospheric Fund.
