The Climate Adaptation and Resilience Conference 2024 (CARE2024), a large-scale climate adaptation event organized by the Division of Environment and Sustainability (ENVR), was successfully held from 6-8 May.

The three-day conference focused on the topic "Surviving the Heat – Research Advances and Resilience Strategies to Urban Heat Extremes". It took an interdisciplinary approach and incorporated a wide range of relevant knowledge and perspectives to enable rich discussions among scholars from around the globe on urban heat-related issues.

On Day 1, CARE2024 delved into the topic "The Physical Science", providing a comprehensive understanding of the complex and evolving nature of extreme heat events in East Asia and the atmospheric mechanisms driving increased heatwave intensity and frequency. These insights underscored the need for robust, multifaceted strategies to mitigate and adapt to the growing threat of extreme heat.

The conference then shifted its focus to "Risk, Impacts and Adaptation" on Day 2, with discoveries of innovative cooling solutions, strategies for building climate resilience, the intersection of heat, mental health, and urbanization, as well as the need for socially inclusive responses. These key takeaways equipped the audience to address the urgent challenges posed by escalating urban heat.

CARE2024 concluded with the "Surviving the Heat Forum" on Day 3, bringing together scholars to address the growing challenge of extreme heat in East and Southeast Asian cities. Experts highlighted the critical role of both human influence and natural variability, such as El Niño, in driving unprecedented heat risks, emphasizing the importance of individual and collective action in shaping future outcomes.

The conference had concluded on a high note that stressed the need for integrated, socially inclusive adaptation strategies from city stakeholders to address the novel and escalating risks posed by the combination of climate change and urban development. Only through holistic approaches can the escalating risks posed by climate change and extreme heat be adequately addressed. The event aspired to educate and inspire meaningful action towards a more sustainable, climate-resilient future.