1. Introduction

Understanding Vulnerability to Climate Change

The Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines climate vulnerability as the propensity or predisposition to be adversely affected by climate variability and change. Vulnerability to climate-related health consequences is based on exposure to hazards associated with a changing climate, susceptibility to harm, protective factors and the capacity to adapt to or to cope with change. [1]

Who’s at risk

All Canadians are at risk from the health impacts of climate change. That said, certain populations will disproportionately feel its effects, [2] for example:

• Women

• Children and Infants

• Elders

• People living with chronic diseases

• People with respiratory conditions

• LGBTQ2S+ people

• Indigenous people

• People living in poverty

• Environmentally displaced people (Climate Refugees)

• People living in Northern and remote communities

[1] IPCC, 2014

[2] Lemmen, D. S., Warren, F. J., Canada. Natural Resources Canada, Canada, & Canadian Government EBook Collection. (2014). Canada in a changing climate: Sector perspectives on impacts and adaptation. Ottawa, ON: Government of Canada = Gouvernement du Canada.