World leaders, scientists and activists are gathering in Belém, Brazil for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference COP 30, to discuss efforts to curb climate change. Against a backdrop of changing geopolitical tensions and competing global priorities, Western University experts are available to provide insight on climate policy, sustainable energy, environmental science, and the social and economic dimensions of a changing planet.
Diane-Laure Arjalies
Associate Professor, Ivey Business School
Areas of expertise: Conservation finance, channelling of capital towards the protection of ecosystems.
Bipasha Baruah
Professor, Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
Areas of expertise: Climate change and human development, women’s participation in the green economy, gender and the environment.
Katrina Eyvindson
Associate Professor and Chair, Geography and Environment
Areas of expertise: Climate warming impact on water resources, climate change and extreme heat, wildfires, drought.
Dr. Anna Gunz
Assistant Professor, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Areas of expertise: Climate change and health, wildfire smoke and health, extreme heat and health, health system implications, community health.
Gordon McBean
Professor Emeritus, Geography and Environment
Areas of expertise: Climate change science and policy, natural hazards-prediction and mitigation, weather and environmental prediction systems.
Expert commentary: https://news.westernu.ca/2025/11/expert-explainer-cop30-opportunity/
Reza Najafi
Associate Professor, Engineering
Areas of expertise: Hydroclimatic extremes including floods and drought, intensity and frequency of hydroclimatic extremes, climate change and water systems.
Abe Oudshoorn
Associate Professor, Nursing
Areas of expertise: Climate change and vulnerable populations, extreme heat and homelessness, community health, global health.
Nicole Redvers
Associate Professor, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Areas of expertise: Indigenous health, planetary health, Indigenous knowledge translation. Western Research Chair and Director of Indigenous Planetary Health.
James Voogt
Professor, Geography and Environment
Areas of expertise: Urban heat islands and urban heat maps, cities and extreme heat, mitigating heat in urban areas, urban climatology.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Justin Zadorsky, Media Relations Officer, Western University, 226.377.1673 (mobile), jzadorsk@uwo.ca.
