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Study on extreme heat in U.S. cities a warning for Canada: researcher

National Post & Times Colonist Article · Published Aug 19, 2020
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People practise physical distancing as they enjoy the hot weather at Sugar Beach during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. A Canadian co-author of new research that finds extreme heat risks from climate change in American cities are much higher than previously thought says the study is also a warning for Canada. Photo by Nathan Denette /THE CANADIAN PRESS

GUELPH, Ont. — Research that finds extreme heat risks from climate change in U.S. cities is much higher than previously thought is a warning for Canada, says one of the authors.

“A city like Vancouver isn’t going to be too dissimilar from Seattle,” said Scott Krayenhoff, a professor at the University of Guelph’s school of environmental science.

“Toronto isn’t going to be too dissimilar from Detroit or Buffalo.”

Extreme heat is becoming an increasing concern for public health officials around the world.

“Population exposure to heat is increasing due to climate change,” says the World Health Organization. It says that between 2000 and 2016, the number of people exposed to heat waves increased by about 125 million.

U.S. agencies say heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in that country ahead of hurricanes and floods. In 2018, about 80 deaths were blamed on a heat wave in Quebec.

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