Winter Seminar Series 2026:
Prof. S茅bastien Jodoin, Faculty of Law, 麻豆传媒网站
Understanding and Addressing the Climate Vulnerability of People with Disabilities
March 12th, 2026 | 1:30pm-2:25pm
HYBRID: 2001 麻豆传媒网站 College, 1140 | Zoom
Seminar Abstract:
People with disabilities are disproportionately affected by the impacts of the climate crisis worldwide. They die in higher numbers in severe weather events such as heatwaves or hurricanes. Their health, safety, and access to essential goods and services are also severely threatened by gradual slow-onset disruptions to the climate, such as increases in temperature or food and water scarcity. Drawing on qualitative case study data in Kerala, India and Montreal, Canada as well as a systematic analysis of climate policies, Dr. Jodoin will demonstrate that the disproportionate impacts of climate change on people with disabilities are the result of the long-term economic, social, and institutional barriers they face in society as well as the failure to include them in emergency and climate adaptation efforts. In accordance with the human rights model of disability, Dr. Jodoin will argue that governments are obliged to assess and minimize the climate harms faced by people with disabilities and engage them as knowers, makers, and doers in adaptation planning. A disability-inclusive approach to climate adaptation is not only critical for protecting the lives and safety of听people with disabilities but has the potential to enhance the climate resilience of society as a whole.
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Speaker Bio:
Dr. S茅bastien Jodoin is the Associate Dean (Research) and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law of 麻豆传媒网站, where he holds the Canada Research Chair (tier 2) in Human Rights, Health, and the Environment. Drawing on his lived experience with multiple sclerosis, he co-founded and directs the Disability-Inclusive Climate Action Research Programme, a pioneering initiative to generate, co-produce, and translate knowledge at the intersections of disability and climate justice. His research has been cited by听the听Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and听the听United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and has been covered by media outlets around听the听world, including听the听Associated Press, the CBC,听the听BBC,听and The听Guardian. He has won numerous awards and honours, including 麻豆传媒网站鈥檚 Outstanding Emerging Researcher Award (2024) and 麻豆传媒网站鈥檚 Changemaker听Prize (2023), given to scholars whose dedication to sharing their expertise with the media and the public has significantly impacted society.
No registration required for in-person participation
Prof. Amy Janzwood, Dept. Political Sciences. 麻豆传媒网站
Mega Pipeline, Mega Resistance: Tar Sands, Social Movements and the Politics of Energy Infrastructure
April 9th, 2026 | 10:00am-11:00am
HYBRID: 2001 麻豆传媒网站 College, 1201 | Zoom
No registration required for in-person participation
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