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How to Protect Communities from Extreme Heat

Monday, 27 April 2026 11:14

By Marcie Culbert @marcieculbert

Photo provided by Pixabay.com

The University of Waterloo Climate Institute teamed up with Southwestern Public Health to help communities address heat related health concerns.

SWPH - The University of Waterloo Climate Institute has released a new policy guide to help communities protect their residents from extreme heat.

It's called A Policy Guide of Best Practices: Addressing Extreme Heat Through a Health Equity Lens and it has a local connection. Southwestern Public Health was a key partner while creating it, contributing regional expertise and applied insights throughout the process.

Public health promoter Michelle Alvey says the heat affects everyone differently.

"Older adults, young children, outdoor workers, people without access to cooling and those facing social or economic barriers are at much higher risk during these heat events."

She adds the extreme heat is already affecting our region area with hotter days, more frequent heat waves, and longer stretches without overnight cooling.

"So this makes it harder for bodies and buildings to recover, especially in neighbourhoods with little shade or older housing. This work is just about being proactive and protecting people before heat becomes a crisis."

Alvey says this policy lays out some of the best practices for public health units, municipalities, planners, and community partners.

"It covers things like heat action plans, access to cooling, safer housing/workplaces, and clear public heat warnings."

This policy is also part of the HeatADAPT project, so it's funded by Health Canada's Climate Change and Health Capacity Building Program.

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