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In this section, you can read about Metro Vancouver’s current climate action projects related to Human Health and Well-Being and explore best practices from our region. You can also browse our management plans and policies, and find links to what other cities, provinces and countries are doing to address climate change.

About This Priority

Metro Vancouver acknowledges that Health Authorities, supported by the Ministry of Health, are responsible for Public Health and related policy and service delivery in this region.

Climate change will affect the health of people living in Metro Vancouver directly (e.g. air quality, flood or extreme weather events) and indirectly (e.g. food security, chronic stress and health conditions). Local governments, residents, and businesses are preparing to respond to emergencies like wildfires, flooding, storms and droughts.

Some populations will be more vulnerable than others. For example, the very young, the elderly, or people with underlying health issues can be more vulnerable to heat or smoke exposure. Lower income households will have less protection from extreme weather events and few resources to recover. Some neighbourhoods have fewer green spaces or air conditioned community spaces, which provide relief in hot weather.

Climate 2050: Human Health and Well-Being

Anticipating and preparing for climate change impacts (storms, flooding, heat waves, wildfires) protects our health and safety.

Download a full description of this priority.


Anticipated Impacts

  • Climate change will affect the health of people living and working in this region. 
  • Direct health impacts will come from air and water deterioration, wildfires, flooding, extreme weather, as well as from increased pathogens and disease incidence associated with climate change.
  • Some of the most significant climate change impacts may be indirect, such as compromised food security, chronic stress, displacement due to flood or fire risk, loss of livelihood, and adverse mental health effects.
  • Additional resources will be allocated to emergency response planning, and regional health care and emergency management systems.

Featured Story: Healthy Parks Healthy People

It may seem like a stretch to connect parks and health, but access to nature has an immense impact on our physical well-being. Whether young or old, learn why a regular dose of nature may be the best thing you can do for your physical well-being.

 

Opportunities

  • Climate actions improve our quality of life. Walkable communities with green spaces promote physical activity and social connections. Adopting electric vehicles reduces greenhouse gas emissions and other types of air pollution. Energy efficient homes and buildings are more comfortable and have healthier air.
  • Our well-being depends on the health of the region's ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems provide the basis for local food security and contribute to the region's prosperity. Soil, forests, wetlands and other ecosystems contribute to regulating the global climate by removing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
  • Communities resilient to climate change-related emergencies will be more resilient to other emergencies. In some cases, better planning may alleviate some of the damage, and in others, a coordinated response will improve outcomes and recovery. A region better prepared for climate risks like sea level rise, flooding and heat events is also better prepared for other major risks such as earthquakes.
 

 

Learn More About Climate Change

Climate change is already affecting our planet and our region in profound ways, making our summers hotter and drier, our winters warmer and wetter, and increasing the occurrence of extreme weather events.

Learn More

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