Lana Garrels is a climate change adaptation specialist in the risk management department of the Veiligheidsregio and Fire Department Amsterdam-Amstelland. Lana has lived in various countries, from Taiwan to Spain and Switzerland, and has a degree in ‘Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation’ from Lund University. Since 2017, she has focused on climate change adaptation, innovation, and risk and crisis management in both governmental and non-governmental institutions in the Netherlands.
Lana is passionate about addressing the safety risks posed by climate change and bridging the gap between long-term strategies and the ‘tyranny of the urgent’ in which emergency services need to operate every day. In her current roles, she analyses these aspects, raises awareness of their implications, and collaborates with municipalities, ministries, research institutes, and other partners to develop solutions. Additionally, Lana serves as the chair of the Network for Climate Safety for Dutch safety regions.