Toronto one of the top cities to feel climate change impacts by 2050: report

Toronto is expected to be among the top countries in the world most severely impacted by climate change in the next 30 years, according to a recent report.

The 2050 Climate Change City Index, published by rental search platform Nestpick, aims to offer insight into how climate change will impact specific areas over the next few decades, so that people can make informed decisions when they consider relocating to a new city.

Toronto has landed the position of 14th most impacted, out of a list of 85. The city comes in third in North America, behind only Boston and Chicago.

By looking at climate categorization, average temperature, sea-level changes, and water stress, the organization determined which cities are expected to see the highest and lowest shifts by 2050.

The results include potential temperature changes, water shortages and rising sea-levels.

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All scores, including the total, are out of 100, where the higher the number, the greater the predicted change, the report explains. For example, Toronto is predicted to see a sea-level rise of one by 2050. Comparatively, Bangkok, Thailand, is expected to see a rise of 100, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, could see a rise of 88.67.

An overall climate shift of 88.29 is predicted for Toronto, and the city’s total score of anticipated severity is 39.99.

In terms of changes expressed in standard units of measurement Toronto’s baseline temperature between 1970 and 2000 was 8.41°C. By 2050, it could see a jump of 3.02°C, up to 11.43°C.

Additionally, this year, the city’s water shortage level — that’s its demand vs. supply ratio — sits at .07, and by 2040 it could be up to .08. This results in a “Water Stress Increase” score of 1.

The report shows that in 2021, Toronto will experience a climate type described as a “Continental Humid Warm Summer.” In 2051, the climate type is predicted to be “Temperate Humid Warm Summer.”

However, the report notes that it doesn’t take into account current spending on countermeasures or how this may impact anticipated shifts.

“Governments need to be aware of potential changes coming so that they can mitigate damage. Proper funding into infrastructure and safeguarding would help to ensure that these cities stay ahead of climate-related problems, and ensure the livelihood of these urban centres for future generations,” says Omer Kucukdere, CEO at Nestpick.

“We hope that this study will serve as a call-to-action for those in charge to ensure that the correct legislation and safeguarding procedures are in place to ensure the longevity and liveability of these cities,” the report says.

These are the top 20 cities expected to be most impacted by climate change by 2050:

1. Bangkok, Thailand
2. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
3. Amsterdam, Netherlands
4. Shenzhen, China
5. Melbourne, Australia
6. Cardiff, UK
7. Seoul, South Korea
8. Boston, US
9. Nairobi, Kenya
10. Marrakesh, Morocco
11. Manila, Philippines
12. Chicago, US
13. Hong Kong, China
14. Toronto, Canada
15. Istanbul, Turkey
16. Beijing, China
17. Kyiv, Ukraine
18. Santiago, Chile
19. New Orleans, US
20. Helsinki, Finland