UBCV
October 8, 2025, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Dialogue on Aging Public Presentation Series
Building Climate Resilience with Older Adults: Insights from the COALESCE Project
with Dr. Mei Lan Fang is an Assistant Professor in Urban Aging at Simon Fraser University, jointly appointed in Urban Studies and Gerontology.
Summary: Climate change is already affecting older adults in Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, posing risks to health, living standards, and overall well-being. The COALESCE (Championing Older Adults for Leadership in Environmental Sustainability and Climate Empowerment) project empowers seniors to become climate change-makers by engaging them as co-researchers to explore how climate breakdown shapes daily life, health, and community connections. In partnership with seniors centres such as Silver Harbour Centre, we have co-developed practical insights and strategies – ranging from addressing everyday challenges to monitoring air quality and extreme heat, and strengthening social supports – that enable older adults to take greater control of their living conditions. This presentation will share stories from the project, highlight opportunities for seniors to participate in research, and offer practical tips for building resilience at home and in the community. Together, we can reimagine Age-Friendly Cities and Communities that are inclusive, resilient, and responsive to climate change.
Speaker Bio: Dr. Mei Lan Fang is an Assistant Professor in Urban Aging at Simon Fraser University, jointly appointed in Urban Studies and Gerontology. She is also a Visiting Research Scholar at the School of Health Sciences, University of Dundee. Dr. Fang is the Principal Investigator of the CIHR-funded COALESCE project, which explores how older adults can be empowered as climate change leaders through community-based participatory research. Her work bridges urban studies, aging, and sustainability, with a focus on climate resilience, social inclusion, and AgeTech innovation.