Climate and Sustainability News

Durham Region Health Department Launches Vulnerability Assessment on Extreme Heat

To help learn, prepare for, and act against climate change, Durham Region Health Department has released the report, Assessing the Impact of Extreme Heat as part of the series Climate Change and Health in Durham Region. This vulnerability assessment explores current and future local health impacts of extreme heat.

We hope you will read and share this report to help our communities to learn, prepare for and act against climate change.

This report is part of the Climate Change and Health in Durham...

Celebrating National Tree Day in Durham Region

National Tree Day is quickly approaching. On September 25, 2024, Durham Region celebrates the benefits that trees bring to our communities and quality of life. It’s a great opportunity to reflect on the importance of trees and to highlight the efforts of local tree planting programs, Durham TREES and LEAF, both of which are making a tangible impact on our environment and quality of life.

Trees are vital to our ecosystem. They provide shade, improve air quality, reduce stormwater run-off, and create...

Durham Health Department completes its first report on climate change and health vulnerability

To help learn, prepare, and act against climate change, Durham Region Health Department has completed its first report in a special series on climate change and health vulnerability in Durham Region available at durham.ca/ClimateAndHealth. The report series will support local health systems, municipalities, community organizations, and residents plan and respond to the growing impacts of climate change. The background primer provides:

• An overview of climate change and its health impacts;
• A...

Whitby resident shares her Durham Greener Homes journey

Cindy Lei of Whitby—Brooklin to be exact—provides a testimonial of her Durham Greener Homes journey. She came across the Durham Greener Homes Program while researching the Federal Canada Greener Homes Program run by Enbridge Gas, which wrapped up in early 2024. She opted to sign up for both programs as they were both offering incentives that could be stacked one on top of the other. 

New Virtual Home Energy Assessment Tool launches in Durham Region

A new Virtual Home Energy Assessment Tool (vHEAT) is launching in Durham Region as part of the Durham Greener Homes Program. vHEAT uses artificial intelligence to produce a digital energy score to help users understand how much energy their home consumes compared to homes of similar size, age, and type. The tool also provides each homeowner with a customized “retrofit road map” showing how they can reduce energy consumption, resulting in cost-savings.

Home energy use is a significant monthly cost...