Prof. Deepti Ganapathy delivered the keynote address at the International Conference on Heat and Heatwave Trends and their Health Implications in the Global South, jointly organised by JSS Science and Technology University, NAM S&T Centre, and SCOPE, held from November 6–7, 2025, in Mysore.

Prof. Deepti participated as an invited panelist in a session on ‘Developing a Strategic Roadmap for Heatwave Resilience and Health Adaptation in the Global South,’ which discussed collaborative approaches to building climate resilience through communication, policy, and public participation.

Her talk, also titled ‘India will bear the brunt of extreme heat conditions, how can media’s representations of this issue spur Climate Action?’ explored the crucial role of the media in shaping public understanding and driving engagement with climate issues. Prof. Deepti highlighted how extreme heat, poor air quality, food insecurity, and mental health challenges not only affect vulnerable communities but also have significant socio-economic and occupational consequences in a developing country like India.

Drawing on findings such as The Lancet Countdown report, which noted over 50 additional days of prolonged heat in the past year, she underscored the urgency of accurate and empathetic media reporting. Her address emphasized that linking climate change to public health outcomes can strengthen public engagement and policy response, an aspect that remains underrepresented in current media coverage.