Across India, heat waves have been responsible for thousands of deaths over the last three decades – and as climate change intensifies, severe heat in India is becoming more frequent. Rising temperatures also have significant and direct implications for economic output and livelihoods, and increase the intensity of wildfires and droughts, as well as the transmission of diseases.

What will it take for India’s government to deal with these seemingly unsurmountable challenges? Which response options to protect public health from the effects of climate change are available, and feasible? Which national health and climate change strategies have been developed, and is national funding available to implement them? And is India’s health care system prepared for the challenging times ahead?

In episode 2 of the Climate Change in the Indo-Pacific series, we are joined by Bernd Wilke, Senior Risk Manager at Swiss Re Zurich. The second speaker of this episode will be announced soon. This epsiode is moderated by Richard Francis, Senior Business Development Manager at Swiss Re Institute.

“Climate Change in the Indo-Pacific” is a four-part series by Asia Society Switzerland and Swiss Re Institute exploring the effects of climate change on the Indo-Pacific and the world.

Bernd Wilke
Senior Risk Manager at Swiss Re

Bernd Wilke is Senior Emerging Risk Manager at Swiss Re looking at the risks in the future for the insurance industry and beyond.

He is an expert on environmental issues, the human factor and sustainability and is currently one in a team of four looking at the top sustainability risks in Swiss Re. He worked for over twelve years as a Risk Engineer and afterwards five years as a Top Topic Manager for Swiss Re in communications.

In these functions he developed risk assessment methodologies for different industries, including the oil and chemical sectors, assisted in the environmental liability area of emerging risk, was part of the team that developed forward looking modeling in casualty and provided support to the company's claims units. In addition he worked extensively on sustainability issues worldwide. After taking some time off to travel in South America he rejoined Swiss Re as Top Topic Manager combining his experience with science journalism and risk communication.

Before joining Swiss Re he worked for Geotech, Inc. in Japan. He holds a Master's Degree in Physical Geography from the University of Basel in Switzerland and a Certificate in Science Journalism from the Swiss Journalism School in Luzern. 

Richard Francis
Senior Business Development Manager, Swiss Re Institute

Richard Francis is an international business development expert, currently contracted with the Swiss Re Institute on projects in China. He served as a Trade and Investment Commissioner at the Australian embassies to India and Russia and is fluent in Mandarin and Russian. He was the former Head of China Engagement at the Swiss Re Institute. Richard has wide experience in international higher education as the China Campus Dean of French business school SKEMA, Director of the Curtin University's Asia Business Research Centre in Australia and the Corporate Development Director of Greater China, CEE and CIS at leading Swiss business school IMD.