People and Climate Change: Vulnerability, Adaptation, Social Justice | Center for Social Development

Date: November 18, 2016
Location: Brown School of Social Work

This one-day symposium explored the human impacts of climate change, the social responses necessary for transformational solutions, and the policy implications of such solutions. Key speakers included experts on flooding, drought, heat, urbanization, adaptation, and indigenous health—representing research from the United States, Latin America, Southeast Asia and other parts of the world.

To see our photo album from the symposium, please click here. If you or your organization would like to use a photo, you may download it for free. All photos must be attributed to the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis.

Agenda

8:30

Welcome to Washington University in St. Louis
Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton

Welcome
Dean Mary McKay

8:35

Symposium opening remarks
Lisa Reyes Mason, University of Tennessee

9:00

“Building social resilience: A perspective from the World Bank”
Margaret Arnold, World Bank

9:30

Gender and water stress
Moderator: Michael Sherraden, Washington University

“Water insecurity in disaster and climate change contexts: A feminist political ecology view”
Bernadette P. Resurrección, Stockholm Environment Institute

“Coping with water insecurity: Where gender and resources intersect in urban Philippines”
Lisa Reyes Mason

“Gender, politics, and water”
Margaret Alston, Monash University

Questions and answers

10:45

Vulnerability and resilience to extreme heat and precipitation in cities
Moderator: Himadri B. Pakrasi, Washington University in St. Louis

“Pathways to climate justice in a desert metropolis”
Sharon L. Harlan, Northeastern University

“Forming climate resiliency: Adaption and transformation of the socio-ecological systems in the lower Mississippi River delta”
John Hoal, Washington University in St. Louis

“Collaborative roles to ensure the health and safety of citizens during extreme weather events”
Maida Coleman, Missouri Public Service Commission

Questions and answers

1:30

“Food and Water–Our Two Most Dangerous Vulnerabilities to Climate Change”
Brant Walker, mayor of Alton, Illinois, Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative

2:00

Land change, wellness, and indigenous communities
Moderator: Lisa Reyes Mason

“Climate change impacts on indigenous populations: Case studies from around the world”
Sherilee Harper, University of Guelph, Canada

“Reclaiming land: Adaptation activities and challenges to environmental changes within indigenous communities”
Shanondora Billiot, Washington University in St. Louis

Questions and answers

3:15

Social policy and climate change: Innovation, design, delivery
Moderator: Michael Sherraden

“Learning from communities’ resilience to climate change: Policy implications for two marginalized societies in Uganda”
Shuaib Lwasa, Makerere University

“Urban development, vulnerabilities, and disasters: Does social justice matter?”
Rita Padawangi, National University of Singapore

“Champions of crisis: Untold stories and unlikely heroes in underserved Detroit and Baltimore”
Tessa Kaneene, Institute for Sustainable Communities

Questions and answers

4:30

Symposium wrap-up: “Proactive Response and Inclusive Adaptation”
Michael Sherraden