Canada needs clear disaster resilience targets, climate advocates say – National

A Coalition on Climate Adaptation and Disaster Resilience says air conditioning should become a human right alongside winter heating, as climate change increases the risk of extreme heat waves in Canada.

The recommendation is part of a list of concrete targets and objectives. According to Climate Proof, the federal government must include this fall in its national adaptation strategy.

The group of insurance companies, disaster experts, indigenous groups and municipalities want this strategy to set specific goals — not just vague ambitions — to make the country more resilient to extreme weather.

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‘This is not the future anymore’: Parts of Canada swelter under humidity-fueled heat wave

Canada has tough targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a bid to prevent climate change from getting worse, but Climate Proof says the country needs to better adapt to the changes that are already happening.

Climate Proof calls for a 2028 target to protect against flooding at least 300,000 of the most flood-prone homes, either with water diversions and protections or relocations.

It also calls for better fire risk education, assessing who is most at risk from extreme heat and ensuring a heat alert system is in place in every province and territory.