I joined the University of Cape Town as a newly matriculated student four years ago, driven by a deep fascination with the intricacies of science and the opportunities for analysis. My longstanding interest in health and well-being naturally influenced my choice of majors in my first year: Psychology and Environmental and Geographical Science. In 2023, I pursued my Honours degree in Environmental and Geographical Science, supported by the Honours Jubilee Bursary from the Society of South African Geographers, for which I remain immensely grateful.

In December 2023, I learned about CASCADE and was immediately drawn to its mission: advancing knowledge on climate-health issues in African cities to inform effective, context-specific interventions. Having been born and raised in Cape Town, I am well-acquainted with the city’s weather extremes—storms, flooding, and heatwaves—that profoundly impact human health and well-being, especially among vulnerable populations like low-income communities, the elderly, children, individuals with pre-existing health conditions, and outdoor workers. Eager to contribute to this vital work, I joined CASCADE as a research assistant.

“My interdisciplinary background has helped me appreciate the importance of holistic approaches to addressing climate-health risks, combining insights from multiple fields to develop effective responses for African cities.” 

CASCADE emphasizes transdisciplinary engagement, which involves complex-systems thinking, integrating diverse academic disciplines, collaborating with non-academic stakeholders, valuing knowledge beyond traditional academia, and working across project clusters. My interdisciplinary background has helped me appreciate the importance of holistic approaches to addressing climate-health risks, combining insights from multiple fields to develop effective solutions for African cities.

I began by mapping climate-health interventions in Cape Town, exploring a wide array of strategies designed to address these risks. Some strategies were practical, while others were more conceptual. They ranged from disaster/risk reduction efforts to institutional capacity building and fostering individual or community adaptive capacity. These interventions often focused on key climate-health risks, such as flooding, fires, heatwaves, food insecurity, droughts, and waterborne illnesses—challenges particularly prevalent in low-income communities and informal settlements. I also worked on mapping relevant climate-health actors across African cities for CASCADE.

One of the most exciting aspects of my role has been contributing to policy drafting. For example, I assisted in developing CASCADE’s risk management plan and risk analysis matrix, where I applied the risk management skills I gained during my Honours year while studying Disaster Risk Science.

Another significant task I am involved in is a systematic review for CASCADE, which focuses on climate-health governance in African cities and the inclusion of vulnerable populations in informal areas. This work is critically important, as vulnerable populations often bear the brunt of climate health risks, which exacerbate existing socio-economic challenges in these contexts. Inclusive governance is essential for protecting human rights and ensuring the equitable distribution of resources in these vulnerable settings.

This role has significantly contributed to my personal growth. It has strengthened and expanded my research and academic abilities while boosting my confidence in applying scientific knowledge to practical scenarios. It has also taught me the value of working both independently and as part of a collaborative team.

I firmly believe that CASCADE is exploring crucial dimensions of climate-health interactions in African cities, with the potential to shape meaningful and effective interventions. In the face of pressing socio-economic challenges and the realities of rapid urbanization, climate-health research in African cities is more important than ever. I am deeply grateful to be part of this project and eagerly anticipate what the next few months will bring!

Article written by Casea Dickinson