Our Planet, Our Health: 2025 Climate Action Convention Agenda
Look below to view the session titles and descriptions. A full agenda will be made available soon.
Day 1 – Saturday, March 1
Opening Reception
An opening reception will be held in the evening of Saturday, March 1.
Day 2: Sunday, March 2
Plenaries:
Keynote
Theories of Change: Leveraging our Skills as Health Professionals for the Climate+Health Movement
This session is centered on theories of change to address climate change as a public health crisis and a driver of health inequity and the role that research, education, communication, and capacity-building can play. This session will help participants understand how the skills they bring to climate and health can be woven together to collaborate in an interdisciplinary fashion for impact.
Stories of Self
Selected health professionals will present how they began their journey for climate action starting with their existing skills across research, education, communication, and capacity-building. Through this session, participants will learn where they can leverage their skills to address climate change and health inequities.
Identifying and Addressing Misinformation on Climate Science
Attendees will learn from those in the field working to address climate misinformation. Speakers will present guidance on effective interventions for misinformation and potential policy solutions.
Opportunities to Integrate Climate and Health Into State and Local Policy
Health is often absent from policy considerations despite mounting scientific research on the health harms of climate change. This session will identify opportunities to integrate health data into policies to reduce pollution and protect human and planetary health on a local and state level.
Trauma-Informed Approaches for Building Collective Mental Resilience in the Face of the Climate Crisis
Attendees will learn how to apply trauma-informed techniques to build individual and community-wide mental resilience to support individual and collective wellness. The session will also recognize the outsized climate-mental health impacts experienced by young people, Indigenous peoples, and marginalized communities, and the pressures that health professionals face in treating patients during climate disasters.
Critical Research Needs in Climate, Health, and Planetary Health
This session will discuss strategies for integrating diverse knowledge systems, including Indigenous ways of thinking, into research frameworks. The session will examine how interdisciplinary research can inform policy solutions to address the Earth crisis and its health impacts. Attendees will also explore strategies for securing funding for interdisciplinary research projects in planetary and climate health.
Driving Change: Insights from Social Justice Movements
This session examines key strategies and principles derived from historical social justice movements, including the civil rights movement, the labor movement, and youth-led efforts for climate action. Participants will explore how these frameworks can inform and strengthen efforts within the climate and health sectors, emphasizing evidence-based approaches to addressing structural determinants of health.
Collaborating with Frontline Communities
This session will feature leaders from frontline communities and environmental justice organizations who are directly impacted by climate-related harms. Attendees will gain valuable perspectives on the lived experiences of communities and explore strategies for effective collaboration between health professionals and those most affected by climate change.
Presentation From Climate and Health Equity Fellows
This session features presentations from the Consortium’s Climate and Health Equity Fellows (CHEF).
Workshops:
Research Talks, Presented by the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education
This session will feature research talks submitted by participants. These presentations showcase innovative stories of where individuals are using educational initiatives to build greater awareness of the health impacts of climate and pollution on health.
Research Talks II, Presented by the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education
This session will highlight opportunities for more health professionals to engage at a community level for improved preparedness. The session will uplift stories of initiatives where community-based educational initiatives are identifying their needs and either developing those resources and solutions on their own or in partnership with health organizations.
Why, Where, and How to Publish Your Work in Planetary and Climate Health
Attendees will gain an understanding of how critical it is to use evidence to drive action in climate and planetary health, to contribute to the published evidence base, and to serve as peer reviewers. Attendees will develop strategies for improving research visibility by fostering collaborations across academic, policy, and civil society sectors, using innovative approaches to disseminate research findings. Attendees will gain tips about how to translate their research into manuscripts, submit publications, and undergo the peer review process.
Organizing on Health Professional Education: Building Bridges Across Diverse Health Specialties
Federally Qualified Community Health Centers Resilience Workshop
This session will feature leaders from federally qualified community health centers on strategies they are enacting to improve climate resilience in the face of worsening disasters.
Harnessing the Power of Narratives to Advance Public Understanding of Climate and Health
How can health professionals effectively communicate the value and findings of the worsening health impacts of climate change to the broader public? Attendees will learn the power of data-driven narratives to connect with diverse audiences. This session will equip health professionals with tools to craft compelling, evidence-based stories that foster greater public understanding and action on climate and health.
Implementing Evidence-Based Messaging for Improved Public Understanding of Climate and Health
Led by Burness, a social impact communications firm, participants will identify existing evidence-based communications resources and practice implementation of these guides as they consider their own communications to patients and the public.
The BRACE Framework: Supporting Local and State Implementation
Local and state-level adoption of the BRACE framework will be critical to protecting communities. The Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) framework is a five-step process that allows health officials to develop strategies and programs to help communities prepare for the health effects of climate change.
Day 3: Monday, March 3
Plenaries:
Extreme Heat: Local and State Opportunities
This session will identify effective policies and programs at the state and city levels that mitigate heat-related health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as outdoor workers, elderly individuals, and children. Participants will understand the role of academic research and data innovations in mapping heat vulnerability, predicting healthcare needs, and guiding public health interventions during extreme heat events. The session will evaluate community-driven strategies for addressing extreme heat and show examples of cross-sector collaboration to design and support evidence-based, equitable solutions that enhance community resilience to extreme heat.
Catalyzing Collective Action to Decarbonize Healthcare
With many healthcare institutions having made pledges to reduce their emissions, local and state-level actions can help ensure that healthcare institutions continue to work toward decarbonization. This session will explore innovative policy solutions at a local and state level that can continue building momentum toward a healthcare sector that is working proactively on sustainability.
Plastics and Our Health
This session will explore the health impacts of plastic pollution, from microplastic exposure to toxins, and its environmental consequences across the plastic life cycle. The session will also review evidence-based policies targeting plastic reduction, assess innovative alternatives, and learn strategies for healthcare professionals and institutions to lead in reducing plastic use and supporting systemic change.
Advancing Pediatric Health in a Changing Climate
This session will provide participants with the latest evidence and strategies for addressing the impacts of climate change and pollution on children’s health. Attendees will gain practical tools for effective communication, actionable interventions, and opportunities to engage in efforts to mitigate health risks and promote resilience in pediatric populations.
Building Equity and Resilience: Farmer-Centered Approaches to Policy and Climate Solutions
This session explores the challenges farmers face due to inequitable policies and climate impacts, including health, productivity, and systemic barriers. Through firsthand accounts, it highlights strategies to design inclusive policies, build resilience, and foster collaboration among farmers and medical professionals for science-backed equitable, sustainable outcomes.
Evaluating Challenges to Clean Air and Climate Progress
This session will explore the evolving legal and policy landscape affecting clean air and climate initiatives. The session will highlight the historical successes of clean air protections built on decades of evidence for improved health and provide strategies for utilizing data and the health professional voice to inform future policy directions.
Workshops:
Leveraging Evidence to Advance Health Benefits of Electrified Transportation
This session will examine evidence-based strategies for reducing transportation-related pollution through electrification and other innovative approaches. Participants will explore the health benefits of these interventions, evaluate their effectiveness and scalability, and analyze challenges in implementation.
Building Resilience: Strategies for Mental Health
This workshop will provide participants with evidence-based strategies for maintaining mental health and fostering resilience while engaging in efforts to address climate challenges. Attendees will learn practical approaches to self-care, stress management, and emotional well-being tailored to professionals working in climate-related fields.
Addressing Health Impacts of Fossil Fuel Infrastructure
This session will examine the health implications of fossil fuel infrastructure and identify areas where expansion poses potential risks. Participants will explore the efforts of organizations dedicated to protecting communities from these risks and discuss actionable strategies for health professionals to contribute to safeguarding public health in the context of energy development.
Cross-Sector Action: Collaboration for Solutions
This session will feature private sector leaders and the work they are doing in their industries to mitigate the climate crisis.
Empowering Future Leaders: Youth Contributions to Climate and Health
This session will explore the role of youth-led initiatives in addressing the intersection of climate change and health. Participants will examine the health impacts of climate change, evaluate the outcomes of youth-driven actions, and gain insights into strategies for supporting meaningful engagement in policy and action at various levels.
Effective Communication in Policy Education
Participants will learn about strategies to infuse their expertise as health professionals with effective narratives when participating in policy discussions to educate policymakers about the intersection between climate and health.
Examining Health Equity Considerations in Emerging Climate Strategies
This session will critically evaluate proposed approaches to addressing the climate crisis, including carbon capture and storage and blue hydrogen, through a health equity lens.
Harnessing Social Media for Climate and Health Communication
This session will provide participants with evidence-based strategies for building a credible online presence, crafting compelling messages on climate and health, and effectively countering misinformation. The session will also emphasize the unique role health professionals play as trusted voices in public communication. Participants will learn how to present scientific evidence in a way that minimizes the risk of misinterpretation, ensuring key context and nuances are conveyed. Practical guidance on collaborating with communication experts to deliver accurate, well-rounded messages will also be included, to build attendee confidence in sharing impactful content on social media platforms.