Climate Change Disproportionately Affects Vulnerable Communities

On April 22, 2025, a global climate rally took place in cities worldwide, including Toronto, where hundreds gathered to draw attention to the unequal impacts of climate change. While rising sea levels, wildfires, and extreme weather affect everyone, recent research shows that low-income and marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted. These groups often lack the resources to recover from climate disasters. They are more likely to reside in high-risk areas, making climate change not just an environmental issue, but also a social justice issue.

Who is Most Affected?

According to a 2023 report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), individuals living in poverty, Indigenous communities, and people in low-lying urban areas are the most vulnerable to climate-related harm. In Canada, many Indigenous communities experience flooding due to failing infrastructure and are often displaced without long-term support. “It’s not just about water or heat, it’s about losing homes, jobs, culture, and identity,” said Dr. Naomi Clark, an environmental sociologist at the University of Toronto.

What’s Causing the Inequality?

Many of these communities live in flood-prone zones or near industrial sites, not by choice, but due to housing affordability and systemic barriers. These areas are more susceptible to pollution and climate extremes, resulting in higher rates of respiratory illnesses, heat-related deaths, and property damage. A study from the Canadian Climate Institute (2022) reveals that extreme heatwaves now claim more lives among low-income seniors in urban centers than traffic accidents.

Why Are They Left Behind?

Climate adaptation resources, such as cooling centers, insurance, emergency evacuation plans, and home reinforcements, are often unavailable in under-resourced neighbourhoods. Even where aid is offered, language barriers, digital access, and mistrust of government services prevent many from taking advantage. “Preparedness plans must be inclusive,” said Red Cross coordinator Fatima Rahman. “If your warning systems only reach those with internet, you’ve already failed the most vulnerable.”

How Can We Close the Gap?

Experts are calling for an intersectional approach to climate planning. This includes funding community-led initiatives, investing in Indigenous infrastructure, and enforcing environmental justice regulations. Local programs, such as Toronto’s Climate Equity Fund, are beginning to address these gaps, but advocates say national action is still needed. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2021), equitable climate planning not only saves lives but also improves overall community resilience.

What’s Next?

The federal government has promised new guidelines for equitable climate funding by the end of 2025; however, critics argue that the response is too slow. As weather patterns grow more erratic, so does the urgency for change. “If we don’t act now, we’re choosing who survives and who doesn’t,” said Dr. Clark.

Sources:

Canadian Climate Institute. (2022). Inequality in a Warming Canada: Vulnerability, Exposure, and Response. https://climateinstitute.ca

United Nations Development Programme. (2023). Climate Justice and Equity Report. https://www.undp.org

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. (2021). Equity in Climate Adaptation: A Global Review, 18(3), 1123. https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph