You are cordially invited to attend LaMarsh 2022 Climate Change Talk:
Dr. Kam Sripada
“Children’s Brain Development in a Changing Climate "
Thursday, March 24, 2022, 11 am– 12 pm
Dr. Kam Sripada is a neuroscientist at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and currently manages the Centre for Digital Life Norway, a national biotechnology innovation centre. Kam has studied how social and environmental factors influence child brain development and can contribute to global health inequalities. She co-led the creation of the new evidence-based UNICEF program Healthy Environments for Healthy Children, which directs stronger actions by the organization to protect children from environmental threats including climate change. Kam’s research, science communication, and advocacy seek to strengthen international collaborations that promote healthy brain development starting in early life. Kam is a member of the International Society for Children's Health and the Environment (ISCHE) and an affiliate member of the UBC Social Exposome Cluster.
Talk Description: Brain development in the early years lays the foundation for lifelong cognitive function, productivity, and mental health. How does the changing climate threaten children's brain development globally? Children are vulnerable to both the sudden events linked to climate change (e.g., flooding, heatwaves, and wildfires) as well as slower-onset impacts (e.g., water scarcity, shifting agricultural zones, rising sea levels, and increasing disease-vector ranges). UNICEF estimates that more than half a billion children live in extremely high flood risk areas. Living through a climate-related disaster can have traumatic impacts on children and youth. Climate change has enormous potential to undermine development gains and livelihood options for today's children. This presentation will provide an overview of impacts on child health and development of both the sudden climate change effects, including extreme weather events, extreme heat, and effects on natural systems; and consequences of the changing climate, such as displacement, migration, and social instability. Some key challenges towards to studying and modelling these impacts will be shared. Finally, action and commitments to protect children from climate change will be highlighted. The session concludes with reflections in small groups.
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Best,
LaMarsh Centre for Child and Youth Research
Faculty of Health | YORK UNIVERSITY
Phone: 416-736-5528, Fax: 416-736-5647
Suite 5022 Victor Philip Dahdaleh Building (formerly TEL)
4700 Keele Street Toronto ON, Canada M3J 1P3
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