Sweatbox, T.O.

Global warming seems to be looming like the Angel of Death as a heat wave struck Toronto, making even the evening feel like an unbearable sweatbox atypical of the usual weather that is encountered this time of year. Some residents have begged for this sort of heating up for quite some time after an unusually tepid July and August last year, but this seems just a bit selfish considering the consequences of this extreme.

Let's start thinking about the elderly and the vulnerable - why should we? With weaker immune systems, this important part of society is much more susceptible to the ailments of temperature fluctuations. There's a reason why local governments suggest that we check on family and friends; heatstroke is just as dangerous as frostbite.

It's not just heat that's the culprit: Humidity and the power of the sun has made us feel much warmer than what is forecasted. An official from Environment Canada told a major daily newspaper recently that it may feel as hot as 50°C thanks to the above two factors. We're essentially in a desert and a tropical rainforest at the same time, which is definitely not very pleasant for some people.

The City of Vaughan has opened "cooling centres" which proves the severity of the situation. It might just be a few droplets of sweat for you, or Niagara Falls for others, but this is the time to make sure that everyone is alright.

So visit your Nana, or Popo, et cetera...