The Climate Question

Peter Brannen, a science journalist and author, joins Esme Stallard, a BBC climate reporter with a geology background, to discuss the pivotal role of carbon dioxide in shaping Earth’s climate history. They unravel how CO2 drives photosynthesis and influences ice ages. The conversation dives into how increased fossil fuel usage has led to alarming atmospheric CO2 levels. They explore the potential consequences of our current trajectory and emphasize human agency in altering climate change outcomes. A fascinating look at the ancient and present impact of this crucial molecule!

Every year, tens of thousands of people — from world leaders to activists to celebrities— gather for one of the world’s most ambitious meetings: the UN’s annual climate summit, COP.But what does it actually take to make it happen? How do you feed, transport and house 80,000 people, while trying to keep global negotiations on track?The Climate Question hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar talk to Helen Wright, who helped deliver COP26 in Glasgow and COP28 in Dubai, to find out what goes on behind the scenes. From keeping the meeting rooms at exactly 21.5°C to managing thousands of journalists, politicians and protesters, Helen shares what it’s really like to build a temporary city devoted to climate action. We also hear from Bloomberg’s Akshat Rathi on whether all that effort actually changes global climate policy — and what’s on the cards for COP30 to be held in the Brazilian Amazon.Guests: Helen Wright – Former Head of Delivery, COP26; now Event Director at Identity Group Akshat Rathi – Senior Climate Reporter, Bloomberg News, and host of the Zero podcastProduction team: Jordan Dunbar, Nik Sindle, Diane Richardson, Grace Braddock Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and Ben Andrews Editor: Simon WattsGot a question or a comment? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

The Amazon is probably the most famous rainforest on Earth. It’s home to Indigenous communities, one of the world's biggest rivers and a diversity of plant and animal life found nowhere else. But it’s also a region rich in sought-after resources — gold, iron ore, bauxite, coffee and rubber — and vast areas of forest have been cleared for cattle and soy production. Scientists warn that deforestation and climate change are drying the region, fuelling fires, and risking a dangerous tipping point when the rainforest can no longer sustain itself and begins to release more carbon than it absorbs. This week, hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar ask why we need the Amazon, what would happen if it disappeared, and what can still be done to protect it. They speak to a Brazilian ecologist who has spent two decades studying the forest and the fires that threaten it. Guest: Dr Erika Berenguer, Senior Research Associate, University of Oxford and Lancaster University Producers: Nik Sindle, Diane Richardson, Graihagh Jackson, Jordan Dunbar, Grace Braddock Sound Mix: Tom Brignell, Dave O'Neil Editor: Simon WattsGot a question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

BBC Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt travels to Somalia to investigate the links between global warming and the decades-long conflict there. He hears how Somalis are responding by launching businesses and their own renewables industry. This programme was first broadcast in 2024.Presenter: Justin Rowlatt Producer in Somalia: Stuart Phillips Producers in London: Miho Tanaka, Sara Hegarty Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and David Crackles Editor: Simon WattsGot a question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Mumbai is India’s economic engine, but every rainy season this megacity comes to a virtual standstill as torrential rains flood streets, homes and transport networks. In 2005, Mumbai faced one of its worst floods on record – and experts warn that climate change could make future rainfall even more intense.This week, Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar explore what’s happening with Mumbai and the mighty monsoon – and how a city of more than 20 million people can adapt to a wetter, more unpredictable future.They hear from BBC Marathi correspondent Janhavee Moole and Zerin Osho, Director of the India Programme at the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, about the challenges to India’s financial capital.Guests: Janhavee Moole, BBC Marathi Zerin Osho, Director, India Programme, Institute for Governance and Sustainable DevelopmentProduction Team: Jordan Dunbar, Grace Braddock, Tom Brignell, Joe McCartney, Diane Richardson, Nik Sindle Editor: Simon WattsGot a question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Houssam Elokda, an urban planner with Happy Cities, discusses how the design of our cities impacts both mental health and the climate. He highlights that our urban spaces can be optimized to lower stress and reduce emissions. Car-centric travel increases stress, while walking and cycling foster social interactions. Houssam introduces innovative techniques like passive cooling found in medieval Cairo to create sustainable, comfortable environments. He emphasizes the need for systemic changes to make eco-friendly living the norm.

What can ice cores tell us about the atmosphere millions of years ago? These cylinders of ice, drilled from glaciers and ice sheets around the world, preserve precious clues about our changing climate and records such as rainfall, temperature and greenhouse gases, even volcanic eruptions. But what can the past tell us about the future? Host Graihagh Jackson hears from two ice core experts about their icy adventures in Antarctica, the Himalayas and beyond.Dr Liz Thomas is Head of Ice Cores Research at the British Antarctic Survey and is currently working on an ice core that may be the oldest ever. Lonnie Thompson is a pioneer in the field whose first ice core finds date back to the 1970s. He is Distinguished University Professor of Earth Sciences. Senior Research Scientist, Byrd Polar Research Center, The Ohio State University. Professor Thompson also appears in a documentary called The Canary.Presenter: Graihagh Jackson Producers: Diane Richardson and Nik Sindle Production coordinator: Maria Ogundele and Sabine Schereck Sound mix: Tom Brignell and Louis Griffin Editor: Simon Watts

Christian Freytag, an executive at Vulcan Energy Resources, dives into the exciting potential of geothermal energy. He reveals how extracting lithium from geothermal brine not only makes projects profitable but also supports the transition to electric vehicles. The discussion highlights innovative ideas, including drilling into volcanic magma for super-heated energy, and the challenges of community resistance in geothermal projects in Indonesia. Freytag emphasizes that with effective community engagement and technological advances, geothermal could become a major energy player.

In this insightful discussion, Tulip Mazumdar, a former BBC Global Health Correspondent who reported extensively from India, shares haunting stories of pregnant women from Tamil Nadu impacted by extreme heat. She reveals findings from a troubling study showing that heat exposure almost doubles the risks of miscarriage and related complications. Tulip explores solutions to mitigate these risks, including behavioral changes and cooling strategies, emphasizing the role of employers and the government in safeguarding maternal health.

Tim Lenton, a leading Professor of Climate Change at the University of Exeter and author of *Positive Tipping Points*, discusses the concept of positive tipping points in climate solutions. He reveals how the surge in renewable energy and electric vehicles is already reshaping the market. Lenton shares a fascinating story about how the band A-Ha helped popularize electric vehicles in Norway. The conversation also touches on the impact of social movements and changing dietary habits, highlighting pathways to a sustainable future.