THOMPSON, Brenna – 2011

Perception of Heat Waves and Risk Reduction: The Case of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Severe weather events, including heat waves are on the rise across the world. In Canada, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) experiences heat wave events every summer. This area has the highest population in Canada with a large urban heat island effect. Increased temperatures in summer months have had an impact on people and their behaviours. As a result numerous community programs have been developed to help mitigate the effects of heat waves. Understanding how people perceived the threat and modify their behaviour during a heat wave is important to policy makers, municipal governments, public health and public, and may provide insight for future planning.

A sample of population from the GTA was surveyed to examine their perceptions behavior modifications during a heat wave. Five sample sites were chosen from varying areas of the GTA and 213 surveys were compiled. Almost 77 percent of the sample population believed that heat waves are of a moderate to high risk. Sixty-four percent responded that climate change will increase the number of days of heat wave warnings. When asked if governments should be researching the potential effects of climate change on heat waves, 73 percent said ‘yes’. Interestingly, 58 percent of the sample population stated that heat waves affect their lifestyle choices. Respondents above 60 were more likely to perceive heat waves as a moderate to high risk and as a result wanted more government intervention. Participant’s residing location also played a significant role, as respondents from Toronto also indicated that heat waves were of higher risk than those participants from other GTA regions.