During the activity, students will meet a researcher working on climate extremes, weather risks, and societal resilience. The session introduces current research on climate change and extreme weather events, while also providing insight into how interdisciplinary climate research is conducted in practice.

The activity aims to encourage discussion around climate risks, scientific methods, uncertainty, and how research can support societal adaptation in a changing climate.

(Foto: Mittuniversitet, https://vetenskapallmanhet.se/projekt/dialogaktiviteter/forskarfredag/lana-en-forskare/)

The programme introduces students to current research on extreme weather events and their impacts on societies, infrastructure, and everyday life. The session also provides insight into how interdisciplinary climate research combines atmospheric science, data analysis, and societal perspectives to better understand risks in a changing climate.

The activity aims to strengthen dialogue between research and education while encouraging students to engage critically with scientific evidence, uncertainty, and climate-related challenges.

Image: © Nobel Prize Outreach, by: Clément Morin

During the activity, students will meet a researcher working on climate extremes, weather risks, and societal resilience. The session introduces current research on climate change and extreme weather events, while also providing insight into how interdisciplinary climate research is conducted in practice.

The activity aims to encourage discussion around climate risks, scientific methods, uncertainty, and how research can support societal adaptation in a changing climate.

(Foto: Mittuniversitet, https://vetenskapallmanhet.se/projekt/dialogaktiviteter/forskarfredag/lana-en-forskare/)

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.

Highlights included:

• Simulating Rainfall: Hands-on activities using water balloons to explore extreme weather events.
• Building Natural Filters: Participants created filters from recycled materials, learning about sustainable water management.

These activities offered a fun, educational way to explore extreme weather and climate change, inspiring curiosity and critical thinking.

Our collaboration with other departments showcased how climate research addresses real-world challenges, fostering a deeper understanding of sustainability and encouraging young scientists to envision innovative solutions.

climes at Framtidsglöd – Sustainability Festival 2024

(The event will be held in Swedish. Info in Swedish follows)

On November 30, climes took part in Framtidsglöd – Sustainability Festival at Uppsala Concert and Congress Hall, an event that highlights sustainability through science, culture, and innovation. The festival gathered researchers, artists, and the public to inspire a sustainable future.

climes Program:

• 12:30 – 13:20:
  Lecture: Extreme Weather and Societal Impacts
  Cecilia Johansson, Senior Lecturer i Meteorology, at Uppsala University delivered an engaging lecture on how extreme weather events are defined, their increasing frequency, and their societal effects, using examples from Sweden and around the world.
• 13:30 – 14:30:
  Release of “Weather the Storm”
  Composer Meghan Quinlan presented her musical piece, inspired by climate data from climes researchers. The performance was followed by a panel discussion on the theme “Art and Science: Exploring Creative Expressions Inspired by Scientific Research”.
  • Panel Participants:
    • Meghan Quinlan – Composer and Researcher
    • Ingela Lanekoff – Centre for Chemical Mechanisms of Life
    • Fredrika Gullfot – Musician and Researcher
    • Mattias Lundberg – Professor of Musicology
  • Moderator: Elin Inge, Postdoctor in Public Health, with experience in integrating art and science, particularly focusing on health promotion initiatives through creative projects
  • Read full narrative of the panel discussion below.

Read more about the festival and see the full program here: https://barnombudet.se/framtidsglod/.

Artwork by Cecilia Enberg

Info på svenska

climes på Framtidsglöd – Hållbarhetsfestival 2024

Den 30 november deltog climes i Framtidsglöd – Hållbarhetsfestival på Uppsala Konsert och Kongress, ett evenemang som sätter fokus på hållbarhet genom vetenskap, kultur och innovation. Festivalen samlar forskare, konstnärer och allmänheten för att inspirera till en hållbar framtid.

Program för climes:

• 12.30 – 13.20:
  Föreläsning: Extremt väder och samhällskonsekvenser
  Cecilia Johansson, universitetslektor i meteorologi vid Uppsala Universitet, håller en engagerande föreläsning om hur extrema väderhändelser definieras, deras ökade frekvens och påverkan på samhället, med exempel från Sverige och världen.
• 13.30 – 14.30:
  Release av “Weather the Storm”
  Kompositören Meghan Quinlan presenterar sitt musikaliska verk, inspirerat av klimatdata från forskare vid climes. Framträdandet följs av ett panelsamtal med temat “Konst och Vetenskap: Utforskning av kreativa uttryck inspirerade av vetenskaplig forskning”.
  • Deltagare i panelen:
    • Meghan Quinlan – Kompositör och forskare
    • Ingela Lanekoff – Centre for Chemical Mechanisms of Life
    • Fredrika Gullfot – Musiker och forskare
    • Mattias Lundberg – Professor i musikvetenskap
  • Moderator: Elin Inge – Postdoktor i folkhälsa, med erfarenhet inom arbete som förenar konst och vetenskap, särskilt med fokus på hälsofrämjande insatser genom kreativa projekt

Läs mer om festivalen och hela programmet här: https://barnombudet.se/framtidsglod/.

Konstverk av Cecilia Enberg

Narrative of the panel discussion:

Introduction

The session began with a warm welcome from the moderator, who introduced the themes of the panel: the interplay between art and science, and how these two worlds can collaborate and enrich each other. The event was framed around the release of “Weather the Storm”, a composition by Meghan Quinlan inspired by climate data.

Meghan’s presentation set the stage with an explanation of her piece. She described how the composition uses historical climate data—daily weather forecasts from the winters of 1959 to 2021 in the Atlantic region of the USA. The data was transformed into a sonic narrative, where each minute of music represents ten years. Meghan emphasized the connection between human and environmental systems, using vocal samples and stochastic processes to convey the growing complexity of climate change over time. She noted, “Every breath we take connects us to the atmosphere, and this piece is a human response to the Earth’s changes.”

Panelist Introductions

The panel included:

• Meghan Quinlan: Composer of “Weather the Storm” and a researcher in musicology.
• Ingela Lanekoff: Professor in analytical chemistry at Uppsala University.
• Fredrika Gullfot: Musician and former biotech entrepreneur, now creating music inspired by cellular communication.
• Mattias Lundberg: Professor of musicology, known for his work on the intersection of music and academia.
• Anna Haglund: Sound artist whose work often explores participatory and research-based processes.

The moderator, Elin Inge, guided the discussion with her background in public health and her interest in collaborative research and art.

Exploring the Connection Between Art and Science

The discussion highlighted how art and science serve as complementary methods for understanding reality. Science employs structured methodologies to uncover how systems work, while art explores intuitive and emotional dimensions. The interplay between objectivity and subjectivity was examined as an essential part of the human experience.

One panelist described a transition from green innovation and biotechnology to music creation, blending scientific understanding with artistic expression, including the use of cellular communication patterns in their work. The shared goal of art and science—to make sense of the world through distinct approaches—was emphasized.

Another panelist brought a philosophical lens, referencing concepts of “worldmaking,” where both disciplines construct unique interpretations of reality. The abstract nature of music was discussed as a way to represent complex phenomena such as storms or molecular structures.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Parallels between the processes in art and science were explored, focusing on the transformation of ideas into tangible outputs. Examples were shared of how visualizing molecular data often involves creative techniques to enhance understanding. Collaborative opportunities, such as integrating artistic perspectives into scientific visualizations, were suggested as ways to make data more accessible and engaging.

The mutual inspiration from interdisciplinary collaboration was discussed, with conversations between artists and scientists often leading to new ideas for both fields. The value of dialogue in fostering creativity and innovation was highlighted, alongside a cautionary note about maintaining the autonomy of art as a form of inquiry. Historical examples were shared to illustrate how artistic experiments can transcend their scientific origins to reveal broader truths.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges in integrating art and science included the tendency to view art as merely a tool for communicating scientific findings. The need for granting artists creative freedom in collaborations was stressed, encouraging interpretation and expansion of scientific ideas in unexpected ways.

Suggestions included immersive experiences, such as artists working directly in scientific labs to explore materials and processes, which could inspire novel approaches and shared insights. The use of metaphors and abstraction was noted as a common thread between art and science, particularly in communicating complex topics to broader audiences. The role of the artistic process in revealing the existential dimensions of science was also explored, adding emotional depth to technical narratives.

Conclusion

The session concluded with a shared recognition of the potential for art and science to inspire and enhance each other. The importance of creating more opportunities for these intersections—through residencies, collaborative projects, and informal exchanges—was underscored. The panelists expressed enthusiasm for the creative synergy demonstrated during the session, with hopes for continued dialogue and collaboration between disciplines.

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)