Extreme heat poses rising health risks to elderly populations in Toronto and Hong Kong

Seniors in Toronto and Hong Kong are facing increasing health risks due to extreme heat events driven by climate change. In Toronto, residents are adapting by using fans, seeking air-conditioned public spaces like subways, and adjusting daily routines to avoid peak temperatures. Local advocates are pushing for municipal bylaws to mandate maximum temperatures in rental units to protect vulnerable residents living without air conditioning.

A study by Greenpeace in Hong Kong found that nearly 40% of the city’s elderly population lives in districts with medium to extreme heat risk. High-risk areas, including Kwun Tong, Kwai Tsing, Tuen Mun, and Wong Tai Sin, are characterized by old buildings, low-income residents, and a lack of green space. The study noted that many of these high-risk districts have only one heat shelter, which is often located far from where the elderly reside.

Climate experts warn that the frequency of extreme weather is rising. In Hong Kong, the number of ‘hot nights’—where minimum temperatures remain at or above 28 degrees Celsius—could reach 80 or more annually by 2040.