Who is left behind?

The author contends that climate change amplifies existing societal inequities, meaning adaptation plans that assume a uniform experience of disaster are ineffective. By centering accessibility and reconciliation—specifically for people with disabilities, older adults, and Indigenous Peoples—governments can create more resilient infrastructure and emergency systems that benefit the entire population. The text highlights British Columbia's legislative framework as a starting point for integrating these commitments into climate preparedness.

• Climate change does not create new inequities but instead exposes and amplifies existing community disparities, meaning different populations face distinct barriers during disasters based on mobility, age, and intersecting identities.
• Accessibility in climate adaptation should be viewed as a universal benefit rather than a niche requirement, as Canada's aging population means nearly one in four citizens will be over 65 within a decade.
• Indigenous Peoples in Canada are 30 times more likely to be affected by wildfires than non-Indigenous Canadians, necessitating the integration of Indigenous rights and governance into climate policy.
• British Columbia has established a foundation for integrated adaptation through the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, the Accessible British Columbia Act, and its Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy.

APA

Canadian Climate Institute (2026). Who is left behind? https://climateinstitute.ca/climate-resilience-who-is-left-behind/

Chicago

Canadian Climate Institute. Who is left behind? 2026. https://climateinstitute.ca/climate-resilience-who-is-left-behind/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Canadian Climate Institute |title=Who is left behind? |date=27 July 2026 |url=https://climateinstitute.ca/climate-resilience-who-is-left-behind/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{canadianclimateinstitute2026who, author = {{Canadian Climate Institute}}, title = {{Who is left behind?}}, publisher = {Canadian Climate Institute}, year = {2026}, month = jul, url = {https://climateinstitute.ca/climate-resilience-who-is-left-behind/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }