Upcoming Events

The first International Heat Adaptation School aims to engage students, stakeholders, and researchers from diverse disciplines around the world to better understand the complex nature of extreme heat and reduce its harmful effects on humans. The school will use experiential learning and active, interdisciplinary teaching techniques to encourage the creation of solutions inspired by real-world needs. The school is part of the Global  Centre for Heat Adaptation,  funded by the  National Science Foundation  (USA) and the  Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council  (Canada). The first-of-its-kind Global School on Heat Adaptation aims to engage students, stakeholders, and researchers from various disciplines globally involved in understanding and reducing the impacts of extreme heat. With climate change and health issues presenting as pressing challenges facing tomorrow's leaders, new models are needed to educate the future workforce. The school will use experiential learning and cross-disciplinary, active teaching techniques to foster the creation of more use-inspired, real-world solutions. The school is part of a National Science Foundation (USA) and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (Canada) funded Global Center for Heat Adaptation. The Center's vision is to strengthen society's ability to manage and adapt to extreme heat across countries, climates, and cultures and train the next generation of global researchers and practitioners using thoughtful and innovative approaches.

Extreme heat now poses the most immediate climate threat to American workers—affecting productivity, health, and business continuity. As climate extremes intensify, the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health is helping employers understand the rising costs and the case for proactive action. This webinar will feature new research from Elevance Health on how extreme heat drives healthcare utilization and cost increases across worker populations. Join us for a practical conversation that blends cutting-edge research, real-world case studies, and actionable strategies for HR and business leaders.

The 2025 Global Conference on Climate and Health will take place in Brasília, Brazil from 29 to 31 July 2025, hosted by the Government of Brazil, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Panamerican Health Organization (PAHO). This event will also serve as the annual in-person meeting of ATACH, providing a key platform to highlight the role of ambitious and equitable climate action in global health.

The Africa Climate Summit 2 (ACS2) is hosted by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) in collaboration with the African Union (AU). The GoE and AU are committed for advancing Africa’s climate agenda and sustainable development priorities. Climate change is putting communities, economies and investments at risk across the African continent. Africa Climate Summit 2 (ACS-2) is a critical milestone on the road to COP30 for Africa to articulate its priorities and commitments – championing home-grown solutions that are driving adaptation and systems-level shifts.

The 2025 NAM Annual Meeting brings together leaders in health, science, policy, and innovation to discuss critical issues at the intersection of climate and health. Hosted by the National Academy of Medicine, this year’s meeting focuses on forward-looking strategies to build climate-resilient health systems, promote health equity, and drive cross-sector collaboration. Participants will engage with experts, explore new research, and contribute to shaping future policy and action on urgent global health challenges. This event serves as a key platform for advancing dialogue and solutions in health transformation amid climate change.

Climate change is fraught with contradictions and inconsistencies, particularly in the institutionalization and dissemination of climate change knowledge, which the Global North predominantly controls. Meanwhile, the Global South bears the brunt of its impacts, with limited resources for mitigation and adaptation and negligible support from the developed nations. Although climate change is slowly beginning to affect and change societies in the Global North, its impacts are still predominantly felt in the global periphery. The challenge lies in approaching it as a global problem that interconnects regions while acknowledging the substantial inequalities in its socioeconomic reality and overall social impact, which follow a well-established global geopolitical order. Despite being much discussed within the social sciences, there is still a lack of systematic focus on the consequences of global (anthropogenic) climate change for the Global South, particularly for the region of southern Africa. These societies are especially vulnerable to ecological system transformations due to their more fragile infrastructure, higher poverty rates, and ecological conditions. They face disasters related to climate change more intensely and frequently than other regions. The Windhoek, Namibia 2025 conference focuses on the theme “Risk in Time and Space,” highlighting the variability of disaster risks over time and space as one of the most challenging elements. All types of risks, whether socio-natural, technological, or climate-induced, are dependent on time and space, regardless of their origin. The conference will bring together expert presentations by leading specialists in climate change, disaster risk reduction, and community-based participatory research (CBPR) will present cutting-edge trends and advancements in the field as well as:

• Renowned experts in climate change, disaster risk reduction, engaged research, and community-based participatory research (CBPR) will share insights on the latest trends and developments.
• Panel Discussions: Panels will feature diverse voices from academia, government, and community organizations to discuss specific challenges and opportunities in engaged research.
• Interactive Workshops: Participants will have opportunities to learn practical skills, tools, and methodologies for engaged research, GIS, policy brief writing, and access to the HSRC’s Data Repository through eResearch Knowledge Centre (eRKC).
• Case Study Showcases: Selected projects demonstrating significant climate change and disaster risk impact through engaged research will be presented.
• Networking Sessions: Facilitated networking sessions will allow participants to connect and explore potential collaborations

 

Keynote Speakers

Professor Ranjan Datta, Canada Research Chair in Community Disaster Research at the Indigenous Studies, Department of Humanities at Mount Royal University, Canada. Keynote speech title: Indigenous Knowledge in Disaster Risk Reduction and Prevention through Development Policies in African Regions. Dr Olivia Kunguma, Free State University (UFS)’s Disaster Management Training and Education Centre, South Africa. Keynote speech title: Alert and Warning in the Climate Change Era: Reconsidering a Risk Communication Consensus. Prof. Ioannis Pitas (IEEE fellow, IEEE Distinguished Lecturer, EURASIP fellow), a Professor at the Department of Informatics of AUTH, and a chair of the International AI Doctoral Academy (AIDA) https://www.i-aida.org/. Keynote speech title: AI and Big Data Analytics for Natural Hazards in Disaster Risk Management

The APHA Annual Meeting & Expo is the premier gathering of public health professionals, bringing together thousands of experts, advocates, and students to explore cutting-edge research, policy, and practice. Hosted by the American Public Health Association (APHA), this annual event features scientific sessions, interactive exhibits, and opportunities for professional development and collaboration. With a focus on addressing pressing health challenges—from climate resilience to health equity—the meeting serves as a vital platform for shaping the future of public health in the U.S. and globally. Join to connect, learn, and lead transformative action in public health.

The 30th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP30) will be the first COP hosted in the Amazon region. It will focus on strengthening global climate commitments, enhancing adaptation and mitigation efforts, and addressing the unique challenges faced by climate-vulnerable communities. Negotiations will build on the outcomes of COP29, advancing discussions on climate finance, emissions reductions, and nature-based solutions.