Keystone Symposia Climate Initiatives

Over the course of the last 50 years, Keystone Symposia has convened conferences that connect scientists within and across disciplines to solve the greatest challenges in biomedical and life sciences, from HIV to cancer to emerging pandemic threats.

Climate change has quickly become one of the greatest threats we have ever faced as a society, and we are uniquely poised to bring together the scientific community to collectively address this vast problem.

We aim to become a catalyst for innovative climate change solutions, through two new initiatives:

Advancing Science Towards Climate Change Solutions

We aim to assemble research leaders across fields to collaboratively apply the latest scientific advances, technologies and innovations to solve specific threats posed by climate change, from direct impacts on human health, to food security, carbon capture and more. In this way, we hope to accelerate scientific advances and applications to not only slow or reverse the progression of climate change, but to also protect humanity from its devastating impacts.

• Open Access ePanel Series and Master Class on Climate Health
     in collaboration with the Global Consortium for Climate & Health Education (GCCHE)
  

This series examines the impacts of climate change on human health, from cellular, to patient to epidemiological levels, in the context of acute and chronic diseases. Specific topics covered include "Air Quality & Lung Health," "Heat, Health & Inequity," "Infectious Disease Threats," and more. April – December 2022, Now On Demand 

Ultimately, we aim to educate and inspire our audience to get involved in climate health research and take action locally and globally, to mitigate the toll of climate change on human health.

In-Person Conferences Planned in 2025:

• • • Climate Change & Infectious Disease Threats in collaboration with the GCCHE
      This in-person conference expands on the ePanel Series to bring global research leaders together to examine the impacts of climate change on the distribution and prevalence of infectious diseases around the world. The program will explore emerging zoonosis, vector-borne diseases, water-borne diseases and other infectious agents while covering:
      
      • • new tools, technologies and systems for surveillance
        • modeling, prediction and early warning systems to prevent morbidity and mortality
        • local, regional and global issues
        • vulnerable populations and health equity

• • • Genetic Engineering for a Sustainable Future & The Future of Agriculture

These in-person conferences will convene world leaders in genetic engineering tools, technologies and applications to address specific challenges posed by climate change including:

• • • • • genetically engineering microbes as for carbon capture, biofuel production, etc.
        • genetically engineering plants for drought resistance, heat tolerance, etc. for food security in the face of climate change

There is no substitute for scientific conferences as a medium of scientific exchange, inspiration and collaboration that drive the scientific endeavor forward. However, as scientists, it is time we reimagine how we can accomplish these aims in more carbon-neutral ways moving forward.

Keystone Symposia strives to be a driving force in outlining new ways to engage the scientific community and promote scientific advancement utilizing virtual technologies and platforms, to ultimately shape the future of scientific conferences for the betterment of science, and the future of our planet.

• Reimagining Scientific Conferences Virtual Meeting 
  
  An open access eSymposium event exploring pandemic lessons in reducing carbon footprint, engaging new audiences and rethinking strategies for scientific exchange. This eSymposia virtual meeting convened leading conference organizations, virtual platform hosts and scientists from around the world to explore best practices in virtual conferencing, and hybrid events (in-person and virtual platforms) for maintaining the efficacy and vibrance of scientific exchange, while reducing the collective impact of scientific conferences on carbon emissions. November 2022 & Now On Demand

• Virtual, Hybrid and On Demand Conferences
  
  As part of our efforts to reduce our own carbon footprint, we are offering various virtual viewing options for all of our conferences moving forward. These include eSymposia, Livestream, On Demand access formats, which enable participants to partake in the latest scientific advances and engage with the scientific community, while eliminating the need for travel. In addition, these formats democratize access to science, enabling us to reach more diverse audiences worldwide.
  

Our goal is to catalyze collaboration between scientists, clinicians, public health experts and policy makers to collectively assess the threats posed by climate change and devise strategies to curtail the looming climate crisis.

Help Support Climate Initiatives at Keystone Symposia by giving to Emerging Topics Program Development 

Return to the September 2023 Keypoint Newsletter