SESSIONS

Session Chair: Matt C. Strzelecki (Institute of Geography and Regional Development, University of Wroclaw)

Climate permits, inhibits, retards, or enhances certain geomorphic responses and is one of the key controls of landscape evolution. During this session, we will evaluate changes in the climate character and their impact on geomorphological processes over the Holocene, compare that to that observed during the Anthropocene and, debate on the role of predicted changes in climate systems on the functioning of landforms, landsystems, and landscapes. Contributions focused on the interaction between shifts in climate and extreme geomorphic processes and geohazards are particularly welcomed.

Session Chair: Bartosz Czernecki (Department of Climatology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań)

Many atmospheric extreme weather and climate events may become more common and simultaneously more severe under different climate change scenarios. The increasing exposure to climate change is visible almost in every aspect of our life. However, our understanding of how climate change will affect extreme events varies between investigated phenomena and geographic regions of the world.
During this session we plan to focus on the most recent and future extreme weather and climate events, changes in its long-term trends, frequency, and severity, as if as mitigating risk and implementing adaptation strategies. The presentation on the effects of heatwaves, drought, atmospheric convection phenomena, and other devastating atmospheric extremes bringing socioeconomic losses will be the main topic of this session.

Session Chairs: Jakub Malecki (Glacjoblogia; Cryosphere Research Department, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań) and Matt C. Strzelecki (Institute of Geography and Regional Development, University of Wroclaw)

Even if we significantly cut the emissions in the coming decades, more than a third of the world’s remaining glaciers will melt before the year 2100. Melting glaciers add to rising sea levels, which in turn elevates storm surge as warming air and ocean temperatures create more frequent and intense coastal storms. When it comes to sea ice, 95% of the oldest and thickest ice in the Arctic is already gone. At the same time, the rapid collapse of ice-rich permafrost in the Arctic already pumps tons of methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year—accelerating greenhouse gas emissions. In this session, we will use examples from past records and present observations to determine how climate warming affects the state of the cryosphere and sea-levels.

Session Chair: Monika Kędra (Institute of the Oceanology of Polish Academy of Sciences)

The global ocean covers 71 % of Earth’s surface and plays an important role in climate regulation, including uptake and redistribution of carbon dioxide (CO2) and heat. It is home to a wide variety of live forms and habitats, and it provides multiple services essential to human well-being. Currently, it is largely impacted by the on-going climate change causing ocean warming, acidification, and oxygen loss, which further affect marine organisms at multiple trophic levels and ecosystems, and finally, weaken ecosystem services. During this session, we will look into climate change impacts on the marine ecosystem’s functioning. We welcome contributions from physical, biogeochemical, and ecological marine studies, as well as contributions from social sciences. Particularly welcome are studies showing how the ecosystem is responding to ongoing stressors in the marine environment, including long-term trends and observations.

Session Chair: Krzysztof Swierkosz (Museum of Natural History, University of Wroclaw)

Apart from changing the way we use land and exploit natural resources, climate change is currently one of the greatest threats to the biosphere. We can observe it not only on a global scale but also in the immediate vicinity, regardless of the area of the globe in which we are located and the type of ecosystem under analysis. During this session, we will try to answer the question of whether climate change can cause the extinction of the living world, and if so, on what scale. Is it Anthropocene the final stage of the Pleistocene extinction event for fauna and flora, PETM episode, or the loss of a million species, predicted by the latest IPBES reports? Can we counteract this and how?

Session Chair: Małgorzata Werner (Institute of Geography and Regional Development, University of Wroclaw)

During this session, we will evaluate the impact of climate change on pollution emission, transport, and deposition on the ecosystems. We will debate on the population and ecosystem exposure and possible mitigation strategies. Contributions focused on climate – emission interactions, climate – population exposure, and joined effect of e.g. urban heat island intensity and pollution levels on population health are welcomed.

Session Chairs: Michał Czepkiewicz (Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iceland) and Patrycja Matusz (Institute of International Studies, University of Wroclaw)

Recent research shows that mitigating the climate crisis requires a deep restructuring of the economy and lifestyles, in addition to technological changes and efficiency gains. In this session, we will discuss the role that cities, lifestyles, and cultural changes can play in pro-climatic transformation. What cultural and political changes are needed to reduce consumption and production to sustainable levels? How can such transformation occur without being a threat to human well-being? What role can cities and urban lifestyles play in such a transformation? Can we have a “good life for all” within planetary boundaries?

Session Chair: Adam Choryński (Poznań University of Life Sciences)

Shifts in climatic conditions affect the way local communities are functioning. Institutions are facing the need to adapt to more difficult circumstances. The consequences of meteorological conditions are becoming more severe and increasing risks for human health and for different sectors of people’s activities. We produce and consume energy and food and force the global economy to invest in new technologies to mitigate the climatic crisis. In this session, we will concentrate on three major social-economic challenges: (1) the way climate change is affecting local communities and its institutions; (2) the impact of climate changes on food security at the global, regional, and local level; as well as on the energy markets through both energy demand and supply and (3) how climate can drive technological, social and institutional innovation, sustainable production and climate-positive businesses.

Session Chair: Magdalena Budziszewska (Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw)

The road toward global climate change mitigation is strewn with obstacles. Judging by the current lack of progress, achieving carbon emission reduction goals might seem impossible, resulting in climate fatalism. Misinformation, misunderstanding of climate science, outright denialism, disavowal, and behavioral disengagement are common worldwide. On the other end of the spectrum, climate anxieties, stress, and depression are on the rise among those who are involved in climate action. Moreover, the problems of the individual and collective agency are also embedded in climate mitigation attempts. Thus, understanding human psychology, motivating people’s beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, is crucial in addressing climate change. These psychological processes will be the subject of this session.

Session Chair: Anna Moniuszko (Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Bialystok)

Climate change may be putting people at risk for more pandemics like COVID-19. Habitat loss due to climate is bringing animals that can transmit disease in contact with humans more often. In this session, we will learn how climatic changes influence the risks of pandemic outbreaks by changing environments and disease transmission vectors. Lessons from historical pandemics and future strategies for pandemic risk reduction are highly valued too.

In addition, PSN will run several workshops, e.g.:

• Climate Wars on Modern University: Good practices and activities of Polish academia and institutions in the context of climate protection issues/Dobre praktyki i aktywności polskich środowisk akademickich i instytucji w kontekście zagadnień związanych z ochroną klimatu (warsztaty w języku polskim)
  Workshop Chair: Izabela Sówka, Politechnika Wrocławska
• Climate Wars on Media: Communicating climate changes.
  Workshop Chair: Aleksandra Kardaś – Nauka o Klimacie
• Climate Wars in Jazz: Climate change inspired jazz concert – BŁOTO Jazz session 28.09.2022