In October 2021, the World Health Organization declared climate change “the single biggest health threat facing humanity”, recognising that “health professionals worldwide are already responding to the health harms caused by this unfolding crisis.”

Global health is interconnected with  the climate crisis and disaster risk reduction. The pandemic highlighted already existing inequalities – including the inequity of access to credible, evidence-based health information. This inequity is ever-present during times of upheaval – be it COVID-19 or climate disaster.

Information professionals have an important role to play in providing access to credible research and reliable data to support climate empowerment. In a world threatened by disasters, water shortages, food crises, and starvation, there is an urgent need to tackle climate challenges collectively. To accelerate global progress, science must be disseminated beyond borders and over paywalls.

This links to the overarching goal of Action for Climate Empowerment, empowering all members of society to engage in climate action. It also drives our Evidence for Global and Disaster Health Special Interest Group (E4GDH) SIG satellite session, It’s getting hot in here! Information Professionals Contributing to Open Science towards Climate Empowerment.
 [Date: Friday 25 August 2023 ¦ Location: Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands]

It’s getting hot in here! will shine a light on the contributions to Open Science from library and information professionals in different sectors and geographies. Together we will come up with practical ideas on what more can be done through our work, communities of practice, and professional organisations. Proposals to run an interactive unconference session in the afternoon are welcome. Visit our Satellite Meeting webpages for the programme and registration details [includes information on equitable pricing and free places].

Come check out our open session during the IFLA congress, also! Global equity in access to health information: collaborating toward breaking barriers [Session 163]