I remember thinking: How will students in the future tolerate increasingly warmer summers due to climate change?
Climate change in Canada is increasing the frequency and severity of heat waves. These heat waves can negatively impact physical health by exacerbating pre-existing conditions and adding pressure to our cardiorespiratory and metabolic systems. They can also impact mental health, with disturbances to sleep and added stress on psychological disorders. Individuals with low incomes, are socially isolated, or lack access to air conditioning are at increased risk during heat waves. Included in this vulnerable population can be post-secondary students living in residences.
Yeung focused her research on the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, which includes the University of Waterloo, where 80 per cent of institutions report having some residences with air conditioning. Instead of deploying interviews or surveys, Yeung used Reddit for her qualitative analysis.
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#GRADimpact showcases the stories of our graduate students who are making an impact in their fields of study, communities, workplaces and the world.