Catherine Raik, Environment Editor at The Economist, unpacks the significant COP27 outcomes, focusing on the pivotal issue of reparations for climate-induced 'loss and damage.' Meanwhile, Lane Green, who writes the Johnson column on language, delves into the fascinating linguistic patterns of the terms for 'mother' and 'father' across various cultures. Their conversation reveals the urgent need for climate funding and the universal linguistic threads that connect us all.
An issue ignored for three decades came to dominate the summit’s agenda: reparations to poor countries for climate-driven “loss and damage”. Alas, halting those coming losses did not feature much. Our correspondent speaks with a Ukrainian fighter pilot about defending the country’s airspace using mostly Soviet-era kit. And why some words sound the same across many languages.