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Protecting Human Health in the era of Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities in Southeast Asia
30 January, 2020 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Climate change has previously been described as the “biggest global health threat of the 21st century.” Recently, there have been calls within the global health community to declare a planetary health emergency. The effects of climate change on human health are wide-ranging – from the re-emergence of infectious diseases and exacerbation of chronic non-communicable diseases, to reversals in nutrition gains and generation of mental health stress. Moreover, these impacts will be felt by regions of the world that emitted the least amount of carbon and have limited resources and overall adaptive capacity – which include Southeast Asia. With the health effects of climate change already beginning to manifest in the region and global progress in climate action remaining slow and even dismal, the need for building resilient health systems that can withstand climate-related stress and respond to health consequences becomes much more urgent now than ever before.
In his talk on 30 January 2019 at 6PM at SEA Junction, emerging public health expert Renzo Guinto, will discuss the threats to health brought about by climate change to Southeast Asia, with a focus on the Philippines, as well as the opportunities for the health sector to lead in mitigating and adapting to climate change. He will also present two short films that depict the challenges faced by local health systems in responding to climate change as well as the promise of “climate-smart” health systems that are ready to face this new normal. Following the presentations environment and health experts from Thailand, currently being confirmed, will share their insights before having an open discussion moderated by SEA Junction director Rosalia Sciortino
Speakers
Renzo Guinto
Renzo Guinto is a Filipino physician and a recent Doctor of Public Health graduate of Harvard University. For his doctoral dissertation, he investigated the concept of “climate-smart” health systems in coastal municipalities in the Philippines. Previously, he was a Planetary Health Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium; consultant for climate and health at the World Bank; and Asia coordinator of the Healthy Energy Initiative in Health Care Without Harm. An Obama Asia-Pacific Leader and an Aspen New Voices Fellow, Renzo is currently establishing PH Lab – a “glo-cal think-and-do tank” for generating innovative solutions that advance the health of both people and the planet.
Other speakers soon to be confirmed
Moderator
Rosalia Sciortino
Rosalia Sciortino is Associate Professor at the Institute for Population and Social Research (IPSR), Mahidol University, Visiting Professor in the Master in International Development Studies (MAIDS), Chulalongkorn University, and founder and Director of SEA Junction (www.seajunction.org). Formerly, she served as Regional Director for Southeast and East Asia in Singapore (2010-2014), Senior Adviser to the Australian Agency for International Development in Indonesia (2009-2010), and Regional Director for Asia of the Rockefeller Foundation (2000-2007) establishing during her tenure the Foundation’s Southeast Asia Office in Bangkok. Prior to that, she was program officer Gender, Human Development and Reproductive Health at the Indonesia and Philippines offices of the Ford Foundation from 1993 to 2000.
Source: Rappler @ https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/disasters/185153-children-health-climate-change-dengue
The event is free, but donations are most welcome to enable SEA Junction to continue its activities and keep events accessible to the public.
For information/reservation for our events please email southeastasiajunction@gmail.com or phone/wa: +66970024140
Organizer:
SEA Junction, OUR Venue on Southeast Asia
SEA Junction, established under the Thai non-profit organization Foundation for Southeast Asia Studies (ForSEA), aims to foster understanding and appreciation of Southeast Asia in all its socio-cultural dimensions- from arts and lifestyles to economy and development. Conveniently located at Room 408 of the Bangkok Arts and Culture Center or BACC (across MBK, BTS National Stadium), SEA Junction facilitates public access to knowledge resources and exchanges among students, practitioners and Southeast Asia lovers. For more information see www.seajunction.org, join the Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/1693058870976440/ and follow us on twitter and Instagram @seajunction.
