Climate change’s impact on the health of Canadians report: SFU expert available

A new Health Canada report released today assesses the impacts of climate change on the health of Canadians as we adapt and mitigate the risks posed by an ever-warming planet.

The Health of Canadians in a Changing Climate: Advancing our Knowledge for Actionreport is intended to help the healthcare system and other decision makers outside of the healthcare sector plan for the future with more global heating.  
  
Simon Fraser University health sciences professor Tim Takaro, among report authors, assesses the impact of climate change on reducing the quantity, quality and security of Canada’s water systems. B.C. has experienced drought, wildfires, landslides and flooding over the past year, all of which impact water, public health and security. Takaro says the evidence in the report explains how climate change will reduce water quantity, quality and security in Canada over the next several decades.

“The report underscores the urgency for dramatic greenhouse gas reductions to address the climate emergency and the need for building in additional resilience in society in general and water systems specifically,” says Takaro. “Unfortunately, the over 600 deaths from climate change that we saw in B.C. last year is only the beginning.”

He also co-authored a recent report, Climate, Health and COVID-19 in British Columbia,which outlines strategies honed from the pandemic’s impact that could help better prepare B.C. for climate change. 

AVAILABLE SFU EXPERT

TIM TAKARO, professor, health sciences
604.838.7458 | ttakaro@sfu.ca                      

CONTACT 

MELISSA SHAW, SFU  Communications & Marketing 
236.880.3297 | melissa_shaw@sfu.ca

Simon Fraser University
Communications & Marketing |  SFU Media Experts Directory
778.782.3210

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