Humans are at a unique crossroads: never before have we had such a clear understanding of how our actions affect a changing climate, or how our settlement patterns along coastal environments put us at risk of rising sea levels. However, the science behind climate change (and solutions for it) are engulfed in political controversy. Dr. Christensen uses anthropological methods to illuminate the lived experience of families caring for elder relatives during climate related events: a unique conundrum facing increasing numbers of people living in coastal areas. As populations in industrialized countries grow older, they become more vulnerable to climate extremes. People over 65 are more likely to die in climate related events, such as heatwaves, hurricanes, and blizzards. Dr. Christensen presents the scientific evidence for climate change, the archaeological record on how humans responded to climatic shifts in the past, and explains how the current challenges are different. Using the theoretical framework of Singer's Syndemics, she explores how aging bodies are more vulnerable to increased environmental toxins, which is further exacerbated by climate fluctuations. A central question is: how do we value our environment, our elders, and make decisions about well-being throughout the life course?
About the Author: Dr. Janelle Christensen's research interests lie at the intersection of disaster management and aging studies, exploring how community dwelling families respond to emergency preparedness and disaster planning while simultaneously providing care for family members with Alzheimer's disease. She completed both Ph.D. in Applied Biocultural Anthropology and a Master's in Public Health (M.P.H.) at the University of South Florida. She also has an M.A. in Sociology of Law from the International Institute for Sociology of Law in Oñati, Spain. Her Socio-legal research was conducted in intentional communities (Camphill Communities) based on the care of individuals with developmental disabilities in both Germany and the United States. Christensen works in Institutional Research and Florida Southwestern State College, where she also teaches Anthropology and Sociology courses. She is also an independent contractor, assisting with data analysis for gerontological health projects.