2026
Climate Change in an Aging World
Chairperson: Andrew Wister | Co-Chair: Gloria Gutman
The 33rd John K. Friesen Conference entitled 鈥淐limate Change in an Aging World.鈥� Climate change and population aging are two intersecting global trends that significantly impact the health and social experiences of older people, healthcare and community/social systems, governments, the private sector, and social justice. The purpose of this conference is to bring together experts from academic, community, NGO, government, and private sectors to review emerging issues and share cutting-edge innovations to identify climate change adversities, and to enhance climate resilience among older adults and their families and communities to overcome these challenges. Highlights include keynote addresses; topical panel discussions, symposia, and poster displays presented by local, national, and international speakers representing community organizations, NGOs, government, and academic sectors.
Day 1 鈥� April 22, 2026
Welcome and Introduction
Steeve Mongrain, FASS Associate Dean, Research & International
Kelly White, Coast Salish of White Owl Clan
Andrew Wister, Conference Chair and Director, 911吃瓜 Gerontology Research Centre
Keynote Address
Chair: Gloria Gutman, Professor Emeritus, 911吃瓜 Department of Gerontology
Earth Day to Every Day: Aging in a Changing Climate
Gary Haq, Senior Research Associate, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), University of York, UK
Panel Discussion
Chair: Atiya Mahmood, Professor & Theresa Pauly, Assistant Professor, 911吃瓜 Department of Gerontology
Feeling the Heat: Risk, Awareness and Resilience in Older Adulthood
Atiya Mahmood, Professor, Department of Gerontology, 911吃瓜
Theresa Pauly, Assistant Professor, Department of Gerontology, 911吃瓜
Victoria Michalowski, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Gerontology, 911吃瓜
Panel Discussion
Chair: Mei Lan Fang, Assistant Professor, 911吃瓜 Urban Studies and Department of Gerontology
From Participants to Co-Researchers: Older Adults in Climate Action Research
Dannah DeSouza, Student Co-Researcher, COALESE Project, 911吃瓜
Sreya Ajay, Student Co-Researcher, COALESE Project, 911吃瓜
Claire Dreyfuss, Student Co-Researcher, COALESE Project, 911吃瓜
Tobias Jesso, Co-Researcher, COALESCE Project, 911吃瓜
Ruth Ain, Co-Researcher, COALESCE Project, 911吃瓜
Ann Backhouse, Co-Researcher, COALESCE Project, 911吃瓜
Stephen Sheppard, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia & Co-Investigator, COALESCE Project
Session
Chair: Andrew Wister, Professor and Director, 911吃瓜 Gerontology Research Centre
When the Land Changes, We Adapt: Climate Solutions for Our Elders
Niki Lindstrom, Saulteau First Nations, Project Consultant, Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions
Session
Chair: Gloria Gutman, Professor Emeritus, 911吃瓜 Department of Gerontology
The BREATHE Project: A Community-Based Climate Resiliency Campaign
Josh Dalmann, Researcher, BREATHE Project, 911吃瓜
Public Lecture
Chair: Gloria Gutman, Professor Emerita, 911吃瓜 Department of Gerontology
From Catastrophe to Community
Sean Holman, Associate Professor, Wayne Crookes Professor of Environmental and Climate Journalism, University of Victoria