Experts at Casa da Ciência Highlight Climate Change Impacts on Physical and Mental Health
Casa da Ciência hosted expert talks emphasizing the urgent effects of climate change on physical and mental health, especially in vulnerable Brazilian regions.
- • Keynote by Flávio Pereira Kapczinski linking climate instability to mental health challenges.
- • Panel discussion on extreme weather impacts on public health and vulnerable populations.
- • Emphasis on the urgency of coordinated global efforts against climate-sensitive diseases.
- • Highlight of antimicrobial resistance threat worsening with climate change.
Key details
On November 20 and 21, 2025, the Casa da Ciência at the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, under Brazil's Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, held pivotal discussions on the multifaceted impacts of climate change on public health and well-being. The event brought together researchers, educators, and health officials to examine how climatic shifts affect both physical and mental health, with emphasis on vulnerable populations and infrastructure-poor regions.
The opening keynote by Professor Flávio Pereira Kapczinski of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul focused on "Climate Change and Mental Health," highlighting the intricate links between environmental instability, social vulnerabilities, and psychological distress. Kapczinski underscored the importance of scientific discourse in paving the way for effective national responses to the mental health challenges posed by climate change.
A panel moderated by Célia Regina da Silva Garcia from the University of São Paulo included experts such as Professors Bruno Caramelli and Irene Soares and representatives from Brazil’s Ministry of Health. They discussed the public health implications of increasingly frequent extreme weather events like heatwaves, floods, and prolonged droughts. The conversation focused on heightened cardiorespiratory risks, climate-sensitive diseases, and the acute vulnerability of populations in areas with insufficient infrastructure.
Garcia emphasized the global urgency of coordinated action, noting that cardiovascular and infectious diseases—aggravated by climate change—account for about two-thirds of worldwide deaths annually. She also spotlighted the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance, which currently causes 700,000 deaths per year and is projected by the WHO to reach 10 million by 2050.
Throughout the event, participants stressed the need for integrated climate and health policies, improved research, rapid information exchange, and public health legislation to mitigate these growing threats. The Casa da Ciência continues to serve as a key venue for scientific outreach and climate-related public engagement, hosting a variety of exhibitions and workshops focused on sustainability through November 21.
These discussions reflect Brazil’s commitment to addressing the acute health challenges linked to climate change with multidisciplinary collaboration and proactive policy planning.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.