CBRM is not ready for extreme heat
From July 22-25, it was extremely hot in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. With the humidex, it felt like close to 40 degrees.
Nights stayed hot and muggy. There was not much wind. The blazing sun made asphalt parking lots and our many treeless streets unbearable.
Severe, extended heat waves were previously rare around here. But our changing climate is changing our lives. We can expect some dangerously hot days — or weeks — almost every year. We are not ready.
And we are vulnerable. Demographically, we have an older population. A high proportion of our residents live in poverty, including many very young children, who are also at heightened risk. Most of our residents live in urban neighbourhoods that were never designed with cooling or shade in mind. We have relatively few public amenities. The majority of homes do not have air conditioning.
BETTER RESPONSE NEEDED
On July 22, the CBRM posted a note on its Facebook page, reprinting Environment Canada’s heat warning. One citizen responded to the post by asking: “Are there going to be cooling centres for those who may not be able to afford air conditioning or the homeless?”
The municipality answered that question as follows: “The homeless shelter in Sydney on Townsend St. is air-conditioned and should the need arise they can expand into their extreme weather centre to accommodate more persons who require assistance. The Ally Centre is located in a new fully air-conditioned location and providing support to their clients, including a cool space and travel support. Their hours of operation are as follows: Weekdays 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Weekends 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.”
We need to do more in the future.
Even some of our public buildings, including some of our libraries, are not air conditioned. And they are closed on Sundays (Sunday was the worst day of the last heat wave).
Meanwhile, cooling systems at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital faltered last month for days at a time, creating extreme discomfort for people who were already in a weak state.
Conditions for anyone living in a multi-unit building, especially above the ground floor, can be especially dangerous. Those folks would not immediately think of going to the homeless shelter or the Ally Centre. Also, the CBRM suggested no option outside Sydney.
HARD LESSON
British Columbia learned the hard way. I am not just referring to the province’s interior. Regions along the coast that were not accustomed to dangerous heat suddenly found themselves in a major emergency.
On June 7 of this year, British Columbia’s Extreme Heat Death Review Panel reported to that province’s chief coroner. The panel identified 619 heat-related deaths during the worst period last year — June 25 to July 1, 2021.
The majority of the deceased people lived alone. Almost all deaths occurred in interior spaces (not outside). Not surprisingly, the panel wrote: “Most (of the deceased persons) lacked access to cooler buildings or air-conditioned spaces. Many were older adults who had chronic health conditions.”
Interestingly, the panel found that many people who ended up dying had actually communicated to someone that they were feeling unwell. But there was not enough support and infrastructure.
SUGGESTIONS TO CONSIDER
For the next heat wave in the CBRM, we need some organized cooling centres. Private businesses and air-conditioned non-profit spaces can help by setting up little “oasis” rest areas indoors — with chairs and water on hand (that might be a good service not just for extreme heat).
Let’s check on elderly people who live alone. As a region, let’s develop a system for making sure we don’t miss anyone and that we know how to detect warning signs of heat-related illness.
Going forward, we must improve urban design. We need more shade and more trees. Big-box and commercial-industrial areas should be designed with heat-deflecting roofs.
Recreation options should keep up with climate change. Most youth in CBRM’s urban neighbourhoods are not within walking distance of a public pool, beach or splash pad.
And let’s pressure the province to ensure that all group homes and long-term care homes are air conditioned. This came up in the legislature on July 26, but without a firm timeline.
No one should die in Cape Breton because of extreme heat. Our laid-back approach to problem-solving could prove fatal.