Health at the Heart of Climate Action | Alan Dangour & Paul van Zyl

Climate change is no longer just an environmental issue—it's one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. In this opening keynote from The Conduit's Climate & Health summit, Alan Dangour, Director of Climate and Health at Wellcome, explains why health should be at the centre of every climate decision. From extreme heat and infectious diseases to mental health and long-term systems change, he explores how science can guide practical climate action. This conversation looks beyond the headlines to ask what adaptation really means in a world heading towards at least 2°C of warming, and why evidence, courage and hope must shape the decisions we make today. Topics include: • Climate change and public health • Extreme heat and health • Systems change • Climate adaptation • Scientific evidence and policy • Wellcome's climate strategy • Hope and long-term leadership #ClimateAction #ClimateHealth #PublicHealth #SystemsChange #climateleadership 00:00 Introduction & Welcome 00:30 Why Wellcome Made Climate a Health Priority 02:03 Climate Change Is Reshaping Global Health 03:38 Preparing for a 2°C World 04:20 Why Climate Leadership Requires Courage 06:41 Science, Independence & Public Policy 09:55 Building a Global Climate & Health Coalition 10:44 Using Sport to Communicate Climate Risks 13:12 Systems Change vs Short-Term Fixes 16:17 From Local Communities to Global Action 16:57 Why Alan Dangour Still Has Hope 19:10 Three Principles for Climate Action