This section includes documents specifically discussing climate change impacts and adaptation issues in the City of Toronto.

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• Clean Air Partnership

  • Wieditz, I., Penney, J. (2006). A Scan of Climate Change Impacts on Toronto. Toronto: Clean Air Partnership.
    Summary: This report provides a discussion of global climate trends, and discusses climate change implications for Toronto. Next, a thorough overview is presented of how various sectors in Toronto are and will be affected by climate change. Sectors discussed in the report include: Water, health, energy, transportation, buildings, urban ecosystem, socio-economic, tourisms and recreation and the economy.

  • Wieditz, I., Penney, J. (2007). Time to Tackle Toronto’s Warming: Climate Change Adaptation Options to Deal with Heat in Toronto. Toronto: Clean Air Partnership.
    Summary: Climate change will exacerbate the urban heat island effect and is expected to bring about more prolonged and intense heat waves and periods of drought. This report examines the impacts of rising temperatures on human health and electricity use and recommends a series of actions to help cities such as Toronto cope with the effects. The report suggests that Toronto and many other urban centres will need to develop and implement adaptation strategies to reduce vulnerability to rising temperatures. Topics covered in this report include: Adaptation Actions to Reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect; Adaptation Actions to Reduce Heat-Related Illness; Adaptation Actions to Reduce Energy Demand for Cooling; Adaptation Actions to Reduce Energy Demand for Cooling; Energy Conservation for Adaptation, and; Reducing the Impact of Blackouts.

  • Penney, J., & Wieditz, I. (2007). Cities Preparing for Climate Change: A Study of Six Urban Regions. Toronto: Clean Air Partnership.
    Summary: This paper discusses lessons learned and adaptation processes from the experience of six leading cities regarding climate change adaptation; London, New York, Boston Region, Halifax, Greater Vancouver, Seattle and King County. Systematic processes for municipalities to adapt to climate change, examples of municipal adaptation policies and specific adaptation measures and actions from the cities are provided in the study. Barriers to municipal climate change adaptation include: Low public awareness of climate change impacts; uncertainties surrounding specific impacts; adopting a risk management approach, short term financial considerations, commitment of political leaders and co-ordination of actions across government departments and levels of government. The study also identified keys to a successful implementation, which include strong collaboration between all parties, leadership by all governments especially municipal and regional, effective communication with all stakeholders and a long-term perspective.

  • Wieditz, I., & Penney, J. (2007). Climate Change Adaptation Options for Toronto’s Urban Forest. Toronto: Clean Air Partnership.
    Summary: This report reveals that the City of Toronto is increasing its budget for tree planting and is trying to expand Toronto’s tree canopy. However, comparable resources are not available for watering and maintenance, creating implications for urban forest health. Furthermore, the study indicates there is no contingency for storm-related tree damage which is increasing under climate change. The report suggested that hotter summers will create added stress for newly planted trees as well increasing requirements for watering.

• Pengelly, L.D., M.E. Campbell, C. Cheng, C. Fu, S.E. Gingrich & R. Macfarlane. (2007). Anatomy of Heat Waves and Mortality in Toronto. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 98, 364-368.
• Health Canada. (2005). Adapting to the Health Impacts of Climate Change (Fact Sheet). Canada: Health Canada.
• Health Canada. (2005). Your Health and a Changing Climate. Newsletter, Volume 3, October, 2005. Canada: Health Canada.
• Health Canada. (2006). Your Health and a Changing Climate. Newsletter, Volume 5, December 2006. Canada: Health Canada.
• Environment Canada, Government of Ontario, Toronto Region Conservation Authority. (1999). Climate Change and Watershed Management: Proceedings of a Symposium Held November 10, 1999 at Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto. Environment Canada, Government of Ontario, Toronto Region Conservation Authority.
• Auld, H., Gray, P., Haley, D., Klassen, J., Konnefat, H., MacIver, D., McNicol, D., Nimmrichter, P., Schiefer, K. & Taylor, M. (2006). Coastal Zone and Climate Change on the Great Lakes. Submitted to: Natural Resources Canada Climate Change Action Fund, Ottawa by AMEC Earth & Environmental, Mississauga.
• Watt, W.E., Waters, D., & McLean, R. (2003). Climate Variability and Urban Stormwater Infrastructure in Canada: Context and Case Studies. Toronto-Niagara Region Study Report and Working Paper Series, Report 2003-1. Meteorological Service of Canada, Waterloo, Ontario.
• Auld, H., Loiselle, M., Smith, B. & Allsopp, T. (1990). The Climate of Metropolitan Toronto. Climatological Studies, Number 41. The Climate of Canadian Cities Number 5. Environment Canada, Atmospheric Environment Service.