The Grey Bruce Poverty Task Force is considering how to help impoverished people in the region who do not have the ability to deal with the impacts of climate change.
Co-Ordinator Jill Umbach explained this year's extreme heat and wild fire season was the focus of their recent meeting.
"And as extreme weather continues with climate change, we want to really put on the radar that there are vulnerable people that don't have the economic means to adapt to climate change," said Umbach. "And therefore going forward we have to consider the vulnerable populations. We have to consider people with lower resources unable to, you know, buy the air conditioning or put in a new heat pump or central air."
She said energy poverty leaves some residents at a disadvantage as they have more trouble coping with the impacts of high heat, and struggle to cool their living space.
"What we are seeing is we know that a lot of people that may be street involved or not have a really good housing situation that they live in, or they can't afford to either purchase air conditioning or run it because of utility costs increasing these days, Umbach explained. "And therefore they you know, just make do. A lot of our elders, our seniors, are the ones that are probably most vulnerable."
She explained the situation also leads to discomfort, higher stress, and poor mental health outcomes. Many residents have to decide between paying their energy bills, or buying groceries.
Umbach added that it is critical to offer longer hours at cooling stations.
"Just a couple of hours can have an impact but then quickly going back into the heated situation or, you know, returning back to say, an apartment without any air conditioning, or houses that are really not suited for the changes in the type of temperatures that we're seeing now, and how that affects people's core temperature," she said. "What we learned from public health was a couple hours was great, but it's not enough."
She said people also don't understand the dangers of exposure to high temperatures for extended periods of time.
"And I think that it's just really important that people understand the risk of the high heat, and that temperatures have changed from previous years and generations, you know, and that we need to be cognizant of what's happening with our neighbors, and how our isolated seniors doing," continued Umbach.
Umbach pointed out that the same vulnerable residents also face higher risks during poor air quality events including those days where wildfire smoke blankets the region
"We're all told to close our windows from public health," she added. " So then if you're in a hot apartment, you close your windows because you don't want the respiratory challenge. Then you're living in a very heated space if you don't have central air."
Umbach stressed the region is also noting more incidents of respiratory illness in children and infants.
People can find out where their nearest cooling station is by calling 211. However, the lack of transportation to those cooling centres often means rural residents can't escape the heat. The task force suggested funding be made available by county social services to help people buy and run an air conditioner.