Our Flammable Present & Future: Wildfire in a Warming World, with Eric Kennedy

Today’s wildfires are shaped by many factors: a changing climate, our historical decisions about how to manage fire, where and how we build, and how we conceptualize the ‘wildfire problem.’ What’s clear, though, is that wildfires continue to impact communities with devastating results, including here in Canada with Jasper National Park this summer. In this seminar, we’ll discuss the causes of wildfire, its impact on health in particular, and some of the solutions we’ll need to consider for both planetary and personal health in our fiery future.

Speaker Profile

Dr. Eric Kennedy is an Associate Professor of Disaster and Emergency Management at York University. Kennedy serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Emergency Management, as well as Associate Director of York University’s Emergency Mitigation, Engagement, Governance, Response Institute (Y-EMERGE). Kennedy’s work focuses on wildfire management and the human and social dimensions of fire. In particular, his lab works on decision-making and use-of-evidence for wildfire preparedness, response, and recovery. Kennedy conducts extensive work in the context of wildfire management, exploring how communities and governments can better prepare for a changing climate and increasing fire load. He has also led a national COVID-19 monitoring project, tracking the public attitudes, risk perceptions, and knowledge related to the pandemic. In all his work, he focuses on producing research that addresses real-world needs, supports government decision-making, and helps create a safer and more equitable world.

Register below and join us on Wednesday, September 11, at 1 p.m. ET

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