On the UGM webpage housing the report starts by explaining; “Homeless communities are feeling the full impact of the climate crisis. We need change now.

credit: UGM

From extreme heat to air pollution, the impacts of climate change are hitting Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside neighbourhood hard. As the climate crisis intersects with a housing crisis, people experiencing homelessness face compounding mental and physical health challenges as a direct result of these converging threats”

For years we’ve understood and heard that unhoused folks and similarly vulnerable people are at greater risk. Whether it is from heat and sunstroke, or from challenges accessing clean water, or from exposure during extreme weather, increased exposure to price hikes due to crop shortages or transportation being interrupted by flooding. It seems like this would be true, but my direct knowledge of issues affecting homeless folks is limited. Nice to have a report by UGM to confirm that Climate Change hurts vulnerable people more directly than the comfortably housed.

We think this is another compelling reason for compassionate people who care about their community and their world to take action to stop climate change (do less harm) and to adapt to climate change (help manage the impacts).

credit: UGM

As illustrated above, when systemic factors, physical design, neighbourhood characteristics, and personal vulnerabilities co-occur with climate change impacts and disproportionate exposure, an individual may experience health detriments. These determinants often lead to increased personal vulnerabilities, perpetuating a cycle of health inequity.

In collaboration with the University of British Columbia’s Sustainability Hub, UGM has produced the Unhoused Under Pressure report to shed light on the intersectional crises of climate change and homelessness.

We encourage you to read the report to better understand how Climate change disproportionately hurts the vulnerable.
AND we encourage you to give generously to organizations like this that help people regardless of their beliefs or who they are to help them adapt to the effects of climate change.

Thanks to Robyn Rapske the Manager, Annual & Special Giving at UGM for providing information about the report!