Increasing temperatures pose a considerable risk to human health (morbidity and mortality), especially in the Region of Peel, as it warms twice as fast as the global average. With Peel warming, Canadian winters will shorten and no longer limit vector-borne diseases (i.e., Malaria, West Nile virus, Lyme disease, ticks, etc.) as winters become milder. Furthermore, events such as heat waves will increase, increasing the number of people affected. Learn more.

The Region of Peel has directly experienced the impacts of climate change in the form of extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent. For example, the 2013 ice storm, the 2013 July flood, the 2019/2020 Bolton floods, and the 2022 Churchville flood. Without robust actions, such events will increase and become more extreme. Read more to find out.

If you live in Peel Region, you have likely seen or passed invasive species. Commonly occurring invasive species in Peel include emerald ash borer, giant hogweed, and phragmites (common reed). While some non-native species only affect other vegetative species, some, such as giant hogweed, can harm humans.

Peel Region must protect its urban wetlands as they are crucial in fighting climate change! Not only are wetlands home to diverse wildlife, but wetlands filter water, limit flooding and droughts during warm seasons, and store carbon dioxide (a potent greenhouse gas). What can you do to protect Peel’s urban wetlands? Learn how the Mississauga Rattray Marsh is being restored.  

Did you know that 1 in 10 (14%) Peel households experienced food security problems in 2013/2014? Most (36%) of which were low-income households. How will Peel Region secure food for all during increasing costs and climate change? Learn the plans in Peel Region to combat food insecurity.

Peel Region is warming twice as fast as the global average. The increasing heat has resulted in many record-breaking heat events in Peel, risking human health.

Winters in Peel Region are becoming milder and warmer, resulting in a shortened season with more rain and less snowfall due to warming. This increases the chances of extreme precipitation events in the form of rain, increasing flooding events in Peel.

Did you know Peel Region spent $227 million to treat water and repair treatment facility infrastructure? As long as climate change remains, natural water quality will continue to decrease, causing water costs to rise. Read more to see how climate change threatens Peel’s waterways.

Urban regions heat up more than rural areas, referred to as the urban heat island effect, which will worsen with climate change. One solution is shade from mature trees due to their ability to cool environments up to 11°. A recent study calculated that if Brampton increased tree cover to 33% in regions susceptible to heat, the average city temperature would reduce by 1.5°! Read more to find out.

Did you know there was a 115% increase from 2018 in the number of families waiting for affordable housing assistance in the Peel Region? Moreover, Peel lacks shelters, which are often overcrowded or hard to access. With climate change impacting everyone, the unhoused population is at greater risk, especially during extreme temperatures and weather conditions. Read more to understand the Peel housing system amidst climate change.

Have you noticed that winters in Ontario are milder with less snowfall? Climate scientists predicted that our winters will become wetter and warmer. In February 2022, when we had very warm days after snowfall, a drastic amount of snowmelt occurred, resulting in the evacuation of 100 homes in Brampton. Our city infrastructure is not prepared for such events and impacts! Learn more.

The Greenbelt is the largest strip of connected protected land of farms, forests, wetlands, rivers, and lakes globally. It was protected to prevent urban sprawl and loss of natural heritage. Unfortunately, laws changed to allow developers to build on ecologically significant land. Here is a Peel Region Greenbelt map.Learn more at HandsOffTheGreenbelt.ca.Did you know that 3,000 jobs are dependent on the Greenbelt in Peel Region? Learn more.

Did you know a proposed highway that will not alleviate traffic congestion will bulldoze through farms, wetlands, and forests in Peel? The majority of the proposed Highway 413 runs through Brampton. Learn how to stop it.

Lyme disease spreads when a female, black-legged tick infected with Lyme bacteria bites a human. Typically, such ticks cannot thrive in Southern Ontario; however, due to warmer temperatures, they migrated north and are found in Peel Region. Since winters are also warmer with a lengthier autumn season, the active period of ticks has extended. Learn more.In fact, Mississauga was identified as a risk area for Lyme disease in 2020. Doctors in southern states are very well versed in Lyme disease treatment, whereas Peel Public Health asked affected residents to submit the ticks for testing so that we could better understand where infected ticks are located.  Take a look at other regions in Ontario now at risk for Lyme disease here.

Natural (or fossil) gas has a destructive warming effect on the planet. One of the largest natural gas power plants is located in Brampton, ON, near Claireville Conservation Area. Learn more.

Did you know that in February 2018, Peel Regional Council endorsed the Sustainable Transportation Strategy, a component of the 2019 Long Range Transportation Plan and an essential plan that recommends a 50% sustainable mode share by 2041? Find out how you can contribute to the strategic focus. Learn more.

Did you know the Region of Peel generates approximately 500,000 tonnes of residential waste each year and diverts 50% of it from landfill? As the Region experiences rapid growth, waste generation and management will become more complex, including the types of waste generated. Learn more  + More.

The benefits of environmental justice and equity include the following:Improved public healthReduced environmental risks and hazardsIncreased community engagement and empowermentThe Peel Region is developing a 5-year Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy to address the above-mentioned. The strategy will focus on two pillars: the Peel Region community and Peel Region employees.The objectives of the strategy are to:Promote and support the development and delivery of diverse and accessible programs and services that meet the unique needs of Peel's diverse community.Build and support a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture. Learn more.

We learned that within the last two decades, 15% of the Peel population lived below the Low Income Cut Off (LICO). With 33% percent of Peel’s recent immigrants living in poverty, it suffices to say there is a mismatch between Peel’s needs and services offered to serve the population adequately. Learn more. Climate change exacerbates the issues that marginalized communities face, and often those who are poverty ridden have fewer means to adapt effectively