"We have gathered some of the best and most dedicated people on the topic climate and health. We have representatives from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Bergen, Faculty of Psychology, people from different fields within the Bjerknes Centre and representative from the municipality in Bergen. It is not every day we gather these people. They are committed and want to make progress", says the leader of the Pandemic Centre Esperanza Diaz.
Brainstorming
They started by examining their expertise to see how they could put together unique constellations of researchers and other significant people, to determine the best way forward, where the goal is to get funding for some of the projects. During the second meeting, the first was before summer break, they worked in groups, discussing various issues and interesting topics that should be explored further. The Director of the Bjerknes Centre, Kikki Kleiven, is excited to be a part of the project.
"For too long, climate and health research have existed apart from each other in silos – medicine and natural science. Joining them will be a strength. At the Bjerknes Centre, we have discussed how we can expand our strategic research and be even more relevant for society and the health-climate combo is high on our agenda. Norway is less vulnerable and better equipped than many other countries to deal with the consequences of changes in the climate, but extreme weather events like heat waves, flood, landslides, and drought are increasing, also in Norway, and are affecting our health both directly and indirectly. Climate and health are on the international agenda, on the EU agenda, and will become increasingly important also in Norway. We should be a part of this research and ideally lead it together", says Kleiven.
Hope for funding
Professor at the University of Bergen and the Bjerknes Centre, Noel Keenlyside, would also like to see younger researchers join the project going forward.
"On a practical level, society does not response to the climate threat because they don`t feel threatened. However, by linking it to health, we might be able to get a response from society. On an academic level, it is interesting to understand how the Earth works as a system. It is all connected", says Keenlyside.
He hopes people will show interest in this. Young people especially.
"We will set up webinars and get people already working on the topic abroad onboard. I hope we will get some projects funded in the next year so we can break down the silos", Keenlyside says.