Extreme climate events such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and flooding are becoming more frequent and intense in Sweden. These developments are already driving significant societal impacts, from infrastructure damage to pressures on public health systems and local economies.

At the same time, key uncertainties remain. While long-term climate trends are well understood, the impacts of rare but high-impact extreme events—and how they interact with societal systems—are less clear. This creates challenges for decision-making, preparedness, and responsibility-sharing across sectors.

Climes contributes to Almedalen Week 2026 with two connected seminars addressing these challenges from complementary perspectives:
one focusing on economic impacts, responsibility, and adaptation, and one on health systems and resilience in a context of compound risks and polycrises.

Together, the seminars explore how societies can better understand, govern, and respond to increasing climate risks.

The seminars are part of Uppsala University’s Climate Days during Almedalen Week.

🔗 More information: https://almedalsveckan.info/rg/almedalsveckan/officiellt-program/program-2026?search=climes

Seminar 1 (in Swedish)

When costs escalate: who bears responsibility in a climate of increasing extremes?

This seminar focuses on the growing economic consequences of climate extremes and the question of responsibility. As adaptation costs rise, current systems—such as insurance and public funding—are increasingly challenged.

The discussion addresses how responsibilities and costs can be distributed across actors, what governance gaps exist, and how societies can enable effective and equitable climate adaptation.

Seminar 2 (in Swedish)

When the world changes: how do we build a resilient health system?

This seminar examines how climate extremes affect public health and interact with other societal risks. Extreme events can combine with geopolitical, economic, and infrastructural stresses, creating compound crises.

The discussion focuses on how health systems can prepare for increasing pressure, how knowledge gaps between climate science and implementation can be addressed, and what is required to build robust and flexible systems.

Key Topics

• Future climate extremes in Sweden: risks and uncertainties
• Economic impacts and responsibility for adaptation costs
• Governance challenges in a changing risk landscape
• Climate impacts on public health and health system resilience
• Compound risks and polycrises
• Data, tools, and decision-making under uncertainty

Participants

• Gabriele Messori, Professor, Uppsala University
• Mikael Karlsson, Associate Professor, Uppsala University
• Johan von Schreeb, Professor in Global Disaster Medicine, Karolinska Institutet
• Robert Egnell, Vice-Chancellor, Swedish Defence University

Climes is a co‑organiser of the Swedish Climate Symposium 2026, a major national climate research conference held in Lund. The symposium brings together researchers, policymakers, stakeholders and practitioners to advance climate science, explore societal implications, and discuss pathways to climate action. climes is proud to co‑host the full programme, which includes two sessions of particular focus:

Session S1.1 – Dynamics and Predictability of Extremes and Climate Variability in the Mid‑ and High Latitudes
This session examines the physical drivers, patterns and predictability of climate extremes in mid‑ and high‑latitude regions, including atmospheric circulation, teleconnections and advances in climate modelling.

Session S2.11 – Societal and Health Impacts of Climate Extremes: Vulnerability, Adaptation, and Future Risks
This session highlights interdisciplinary research on the societal and health consequences of extreme climate events, addressing vulnerability, adaptation strategies and emerging risks.

Key Topics

• Drivers and predictability of climate extremes
• Climate variability in mid‑ and high‑latitude regions
• Societal vulnerability and resilience to climate extremes
• Health impacts of weather extremes and adaptation pathways
• Climate science linked to policy and decision‑making
• Interdisciplinary approaches to climate research

Speakers

Researchers from climes and partner institutions will present across the symposium, including leaders in climate dynamics, extreme events, impacts, adaptation and policy‑relevant research.

The climes-led sessions are hosted by Elena Raffetti and Gabriele Messori, who will guide discussions, moderate sessions, and introduce the speakers. Additional researchers from climes and partner institutions will present across the symposium, covering climate dynamics, extreme events, societal impacts, adaptation, and policy-relevant research.

Highlights

• climes co‑organised sessions showcasing the latest climate research
• Interdisciplinary dialogue across scientific and societal domains
• Engagement with national and international stakeholders
• Opportunities for networking and collaboration

1. Extreme climate events – what climate leadership is needed at the local level?

Time: 10:00 – 11:00

Location: D-huset, Uppsala University, Kaserngatan 1, “Sal D24”
Event Type: Debate/Panel Discussion
Language: Swedish
Description: This seminar discusses the role of local political leadership in climate adaptation and mitigation. Topics include effective measures for municipalities, coordination and resource allocation for climate actions, and the necessary support from the national level.

Speakers:

• Gabriele Messori, Uppsala University
• Mikael Karlsson, Uppsala University
• Maria Ivansson, Klimatkommunerna

2. The path towards open access to research data – how does the transition happen?

Time: 13:30 – 14:30

Location: Skeppsbron 24, Joda Bar och kök, “Innergården”
Event Type: Debate/Panel Discussion
Language: Swedish
Description: This panel discusses the transition towards open access to research data by 2026, examining current progress, obstacles, and necessary steps to achieve the national goal.

Speakers:

• Gustav Nilsonne, SND
• Hanifeh Khayyeri, RISE
• Anna Wetterbom, Ragnar Söderbergs stiftelse
• Gabriele Messori, Uppsala University, SUA
• Wilhelm Widmark, Stockholms universitet, SUHF
• Sumithra Velupillai, Vetenskapsrådet

3. Extreme climate events – what climate leadership is needed in research and politics?

Time: 16:00 – 17:00

Location: D-huset, Uppsala University, Kaserngatan 1, “Torget”
Event Type: Debate/Panel Discussion
Language: Swedish
Description: This seminar focuses on the roles of researchers and politicians in climate adaptation and mitigation. Topics include effective measures, resource allocation, and responsibilities for addressing extreme climate events.

Speakers:

• Gabriele Messori, Uppsala University
• Mikael Karlsson, Uppsala University

More info

For more information, visit Almedalsveckan Program.

Our Principal Investigators are leading and contributing to sessions that tackle some of the most pressing challenges in climate and earth sciences, from understanding extreme weather impacts to leveraging AI for better forecasting.

EGU is a prime platform for connecting with global experts, sharing groundbreaking research, and advancing solutions to climate challenges. As part of the scientific community, we invite you to engage by submitting your abstracts and joining these critical discussions.

Sessions with climes’ principal investigators Gabriele Messori and Elena Raffetti:

🔹 NP1.3 | Extremes in Geophysical Sciences: Drivers, Predictability, and Impacts

Convener: Meriem Krouma

Co-conveners: Davide Faranda, Gabriele Messori, M. Carmen Alvarez-Castro Explore the mechanisms driving extreme events and their impacts across geophysical systems.

🔹 ITS2.3/CL0.12 | PICO | Population Health Impacts of Climate Extremes and Climatic Factors

Convener: Elena Raffetti

Co-conveners: Gabriele Messori, Antonio Gasparrini, Stefan Döring, Maurizio Mazzoleni

Delve into the intersection of climate extremes and public health, with insights into impacts and mitigation strategies.

🔹 ITS1.13/NH13.1 | PICO | Text Data and Emerging Data Sources in Earth System Sciences

Convener: Lina Stein

Co-conveners: Mariana Madruga de Brito, Gabriele Messori, Georgia Destouni

Mariana Madruga de Brito, Gabriele Messori, Georgia Destouni(https://www.su.se/english/profiles/gdest-1.182913)

Highlight the innovative use of text and non-traditional data in advancing earth system research.

🔹 CL5.9 | AI-driven Forecasting for Weather, Climate, and Extreme Events (Co-organized by AS1)

Convener: Ramón Fuentes Franco

Co-conveners: Gustau Camps-Valls, Sonia Seneviratne, Leonardo Olivetti, Gabriele Messori

Gustau Camps-Valls, Sonia I. Seneviratne, Leonardo Olivetti, Gabriele Messori

Discover how AI is transforming the landscape of weather and climate forecasting, with a focus on extremes.

Take Action

Submit your abstracts to these sessions and be part of the conversation shaping the future of climate science. Abstract deadline: 15 January 2025.
📢 Learn more and submit here: egu.eu/abstracts

Extrema klimathändelser som värmeböljor, skyfall och långvariga regn blir allt vanligare i Sverige. Med ökande frekvens och intensitet följer omfattande samhällskostnader – från skador på infrastruktur till påverkan på hälsa, trygghet och lokal ekonomi. Samtidigt vet vi att kunskapen om konsekvenserna av extrema väderhändelser fortfarande är bristfällig: modellerna fångar långsiktiga klimatförändringar väl, men osäkerheten ökar när det gäller sällsynta men kraftiga extremhändelser.

Detta seminarium utforskar vad forskningen visar om framtidens extrema väder i Sverige, hur kostnaderna slår lokalt, och hur förberedda svenska kommuner egentligen är. Vi diskuterar vilka verktyg som saknas, vilka lärdomar som redan finns – och hur samhället kan rusta sig för en mer extrem framtid. Seminariet är en del av Uppsala universitets klimatdagar under Almedalsveckan.

Key Topics

• Vad vet vi om framtidens värmeböljor och skyfall i Sverige?
• Osäkerheter i simuleringar av extremväder och deras konsekvenser
• Kostnader och samhällspåverkan: hur drabbas kommuner och regioner?
• Hur kan lokalsamhällen stärka sin beredskap och klimatanpassning?
• Data, verktyg och styrning: vad behöver utvecklas?

Medverkande

• Mikael Karlsson, docent, Uppsala universitet
• Gabriele Messori, professor, Uppsala universitet
• Christofer Laurell, Dr., Länsförsäkringars Forskningsstiftelse
• Peder Hallkvist, stadsarkitekt, Örebro
• Maria Ivansson, verksamhetsledare, Klimatkommunerna
• Ulrika Lundberg, ordförande, infrastruktur- och servicenämnden, Luleå

Event Details

• Typ: Seminarium / föreläsning
• Arrangör: Svenskt centrum för extrema klimathändelser (climes), Uppsala universitet
• Förtäring: Nej
• Evenemangs-ID: 1091

Event page at almedalsveckan.se: https://almedalsveckan.info/rg/almedalsveckan/evenemang-almedalsveckan/2025/1091

🌦️ Weather Extremes Lab – Crash Course in Extreme Weather and Solutions

At this year’s SciFest, Climes – the Swedish Centre for Impacts of Climate Extremes – invites visitors to explore the science behind extreme weather and climate impacts through hands-on experiments and games.

Our interactive booth, Weather Extremes Lab, turns climate research into playful learning:

• Build a mini-atmosphere and see how clouds form.
• Test how different soils absorb rain in a flood simulation.
• Generate power with a wind turbine kit.

🎯 Why it matters

The Weather Extremes Lab connects play with knowledge – showing how heatwaves, floods and storms affect society and what can be done to adapt.
Climes researchers and students from Uppsala University, Lund University and RISE guide visitors through short, engaging activities that translate cutting-edge science into real-world understanding.

👥 Meet the team

Researchers and doctoral students from Climes take turns in the booth each day – sharing their expertise in meteorology, hydrology, data science and sustainability.

📍 Event details

• Dates: 9–11 October 2025 (Thursday–Saturday)
• Venue: Fyrishov Arena, Uppsala
• Booth location: Weather Extremes Lab (Stand 49)

Datum: 9–11 oktober 2025
Plats: Fyrishov Arena, Uppsala

Svenska:

🌦️ Weather Extremes Lab – en snabbkurs i extremväder och lösningar

På årets SciFest bjuder Climes – Swedish Centre for Impacts of Climate Extremes in besökare till en upplevelsebaserad introduktion till klimatforskningens mest spännande område: extremväder och dess effekter på samhället.

I vår interaktiva monter Weather Extremes Lab förvandlas forskning till lekfullt lärande med bland annat:

• Bygg en mini-atmosfär och se hur moln bildas.
• Testa hur olika jordarter påverkar översvämningar.
• Skapa energi med vindkraftkit.

🎯 Varför det är viktigt

Weather Extremes Lab kopplar ihop nyfikenhet och kunskap – och visar hur värmeböljor, översvämningar och stormar påverkar oss, samt vad vi kan göra för att anpassa oss.
Forskare och doktorander från Climes leder korta, engagerande aktiviteter som översätter avancerad vetenskap till konkret förståelse.

👥 Möt teamet

Forskare och doktorander från Climes deltar under dagarna – med expertis inom meteorologi, hydrologi, dataanalys och hållbarhet.
Med energi, nyfikenhet och fika inspirerar de nästa generationens klimatforskare.

📍 Evenemangsdetaljer

• Datum: 9–11 oktober 2025 (torsdag–lördag)
• Plats: Fyrishov Arena, Uppsala
• Monterplats: Weather Extremes Lab (plats 49)