Connecticut climate-and-health symposium postponed; organizers eye early-September dates

Organizers of the Connecticut Climate Change and Health Symposium told coalition members the March in-person event at Southern Connecticut State University was postponed for funding and logistical reasons and that they are planning a half-day symposium in early September with possible in-person and virtual participation.

Jen Wong, executive director of the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health, said the March event had to be postponed because venue and catering costs and other logistical uncertainties made the original plan infeasible under current funding constraints. “We’re aiming for early September,” Wong said, listing several first-week dates and asking attendees to flag any scheduling conflicts.

Organizers described three venue options: plan A at Southern Connecticut State University (150-seat capacity at round tables, shuttles from New Haven Union Station and free parking), plan B using space at Yale (smaller capacity, walking distance from Union Station, possible parking fees) and plan C as a virtual-only symposium if neither in-person option is feasible. The intended agenda is a half-day event starting about 9 a.m. and running through lunch with an informal meet-and-greet afterward.

Wong and DPH staff said they expect to decide the venue within a month or two and will keep coalition members updated. They asked participants to notify organizers if any of the proposed early-September dates present major conflicts. The symposium was described as a chance to strengthen collaboration among state, municipal and academic partners working on climate and health.