Climate Change and Human Health

Cold advisories

Increases in extreme cold weather events can lead to health risks

Climate change is the long-term change in temperature and weather patterns, which can result in:

Increasing temperatures
Extreme weather events
Forecast unpredictability
Natural disasters, such as wildfires, flooding and droughts

In Niagara, climate change projections indicate a warmer future with more extreme weather events. Climate change can have an impact on your overall health and wellbeing due to these changes. Learn how you can protect your health.

Climate change in Ontario

Ontario Climate Change and Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment Guidelines
A toolkit to help meet the public health challenges of a changing climate in Ontario.

Public Health Climate Data
Explore case studies to learn about how data was used to impact climate related decisions.

Health effects

Air pollution

Climate change can increase air pollutants which can cause breathing difficulties in vulnerable populations. Learn what air quality means to your health and use the Air Quality Health Index to help make decisions around your exposure.

Beaches

Increased temperatures and rainfall leads to higher rates of e.coli in the water, which can cause gastrointestinal illness if swallowed. Monitor beach testing results to find out which beaches are posted as unsafe for swimming.

Blue-green algae blooms

Increased storm water run off lead to algal blooms that can cause irritations and respiratory complications. Learn how to recognize blue-green algae blooms and how to prevent them.

Food safety

Warmer temperatures can increase demand on power grids and cold-holding unit compressors leading to power outages. This can expose hazardous foods to dangerous temperatures. Learn how to keep your food safe to prevent foodborne illness.

Heat warnings

Climate change can increase the number of heat warnings. Understand the health risks of extreme heat and how you can protect yourself.

Mosquitos and West Nile Virus

Climate change can lead to an increase in West Nile Virus and the appearance of new mosquito-borne diseases typically seen in tropical climates. Monitor trends in Niagara and learn how to reduce your risk for mosquito bites.

Sun safety

Increased ultraviolet ray exposure from being outside for long periods of time can harm the skin and eyes which could lead to sunburns, skin damage, skin cancer, eye lesions, cataracts and retinal burns. Discover sun safety tips to reduce your risk.

Ticks and Lyme Disease

Climate change will make more areas of Niagara favourable for blacklegged ticks to live, which can carry Lyme disease. Learn how to identify ticks and protect yourself.

Water quality

Increased flooding and precipitation can overload wells and cisterns. This can cause contamination from run off and an increase in waterborne diseases. Learn how to test your well / cistern water and disinfect your small drinking water system.