2026
Climate Change in an Aging World
Chairperson: Andrew Wister | Co-Chair: Gloria Gutman
The 33rd John K. Friesen Conference entitled “Climate Change in an Aging World.” 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 2 – April 23, 2026
Symposium
Chair: Andrew Wister, Professor and Director, SFU Gerontology Research Centre
Fostering Resilience in an Era of Climate Change
Jennifer Baumbusch, Professor, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia
Lena Richardson, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia
Jad Brake, Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia
Christine Meng, Doctoral Student, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia
Panel
Chair: Rachel Stern, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia
Community-Based Climate Justice Approaches to Urban Heat and Aging
Care and Social Connection in the Climate-Housing Nexus
Liv Yoon, School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia
Heat Experiences for Older Adults in SROs
Rafi Arefin, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia
Legal Issues Around Climate Retrofits for Tenants
Geraldine Pratt, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia
“Sensing Heat” Project: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Older Adult Experiences of Extreme Heat
Katherine White, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia
Rachel Stern, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia
“Right to Cool”: An Approach to Extreme Heat and Aging
Kendra Jewell, Housing Research Project Manager, Centre for Climate Justice, University of British Columbia
Panel
Chair: Gloria Gutman, Professor Emeritus, SFU Department of Gerontology
Seniors' Activism on Climate Change
Carole Christopher, SPEC Guiding Elder, Director, and Executive, The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC)
Erlene Woollard, Member, GTEC, Suzuki Elders, and Seniors for Climate
Lynne Kent, Member, BC Hub for Seniors for Climate
Agnes Black, Adjunct Professor School of Nursing, University of British Columbia