Esme Stallard, a BBC Climate Reporter, reveals alarming insights from the latest UN report on sea level rise, emphasizing the impact on vulnerable Pacific islands. Will Grant shares a lively account of Mexico's new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, an environmental scientist, and her ambitious sustainability plans. Meanwhile, the podcast dives into the chocolate crisis in Ivory Coast, where climate change has driven cocoa prices soaring. The discussion highlights the challenges faced by farmers and the urgent need for supportive measures.
The recent UN report highlights accelerated sea level rise, posing an existential threat to low-lying Pacific islands due to climate change.
Mexico's new environmental president, Claudia Sheinbaum, faces challenges in balancing economic growth with sustainability as a major carbon emitter.
Deep dives
The Rising Threat of Sea Level Increase in the Pacific
Sea level rise poses an existential threat to low-lying Pacific islands, as highlighted by recent warnings from the UN chief. Current rates of sea level rise are accelerating, being recorded at double the rates of the 1990s, with projections indicating that the region may experience increases 10 to 30% higher than the global average. This phenomenon is driven by two primary factors: thermal expansion of seawater as it warms and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, both exacerbated by climate change. The situation is critical, as even if emissions were stopped entirely today, the historical accumulation of greenhouse gases would continue to affect sea levels for decades into the future.
Challenges in Cocoa Farming Due to Climate Change
Cocoa farming in Ivory Coast is being severely impacted by climate change, leading to increased prices and hardships for local farmers. A farmer recounted how droughts have hindered harvests, exemplifying the broader issues confronting small-scale growers who often lack the resources to sustain their farms against the climate crisis. The prevalence of diseases, such as Swollen Shoot Disease, has intensified, making it difficult for farmers to maintain healthy crops and improve yields. Experts suggest that introducing new tree varieties and creating better environmental conditions, like planting protective trees, could help adapt these farms to ongoing climate challenges, but financial barriers remain a significant obstacle.
Mexico's New Leadership and Climate Policy Directions
As Mexico prepares for a change in leadership, attention turns to the incoming president, who has a robust environmental engineering background and previously initiated significant green projects. Claudia Sheinbaum's tenure as mayor saw advancements such as the installation of solar panels on public buildings and initiatives to capture rainwater, aimed at improving sustainability in urban areas. However, the country's status as one of the top global emitters of carbon presents a complex scenario where new policies must balance economic interests with environmental responsibilities. Her leadership will be closely scrutinized, especially as she attends international climate conferences and addresses the legacy of fossil fuels in Mexico's economy.
The United Nations has just published a worrying new report about the rate of sea level rise in the Pacific. BBC climate reporter Esme Stallard talks us through the details.
Plus, Mexico is preparing for the inauguration of an environmental scientist as its new president. The BBC's Will Grant heads to a bustling market in Mexico City to report on Claudia Sheinbaum's record in her previous job as mayor of one of the world's biggest metropolises.
And we hear how climate change is fuelling a crisis for cocoa growers in Ivory Coast - and sending global prices for chocolate sky high. John Murphy from the BBC's Assignment podcast has that story.
Email us your comments and questions to theclimatequestion@bbc.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721
Presenter and Producer: Graihagh Jackson
Reporter: Esme Stallard, Will Grant, John Murphy
Sound engineer: Morgan Roberts and David Crackles
Editor: Simon Watts
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