Study: Toronto is one of the world’s most at-risk cities for climate change

Climate change is a contentious topic in Canada.

An alarming number of Canadians don’t believe in it. The youth are suing our government over it. Murals of Greta Thunberg are defaced in Alberta.

Of course, none of this detracts from the evidence that ecosystems are deteriorating as temperatures and sea levels rise. Oh, and that we could soon face water shortages. It’s as though the Devil is playing God mode in SimCity, except that we can’t just turn off the computer and walk away when things get too grim.

Now, some places will fare worse than others. Toronto, for example, could soon be very unwell. According to the 2050 Climate Change City Index, Canada’s largest city is likely to be one of the most severely affected over the next 30 years. Boston and Chicago are the only two cities in North America that are expected to be more affected.

The index forecasts how temperature rise, sea level changes, and water stress will impact 85 cities around the world. Toronto’s average temperature is expected to increase 3 degrees by 2050. The result is a climate shift from Continental Humid Warm Summer to Temperate Humid Warm Summer. While I’m not entirely sure what this means, I’m quite certain climate types should not change. Unless you’re moving, like, a thousand kilometres north or south.

Here are the cities that have the most to worry about:

1. Bangkok, Thailand
2. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
3. Amsterdam, Netherlands
4. Shenzhen, China
5. Melbourne, Australia
6. Cardiff, UK
7. Seoul, South Korea
8. Boston, US
9. Nairobi, Kenya
10. Marrakesh, Morocco
11. Manila, Philippines
12. Chicago, US
13. Hong Kong, China
14. Toronto, Canada
15. Istanbul, Turkey
16. Beijing, China
17. Kyiv, Ukraine
18. Santiago, Chile
19. New Orleans, US
20. Helsinki, Finland