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The Climate Question

Latest episodes

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Aug 5, 2024 • 28min

The Climate Question meets People Fixing The World

Jordan Dunbar is a renewable energy expert focusing on tidal power, while Myra Anubi champions grassroots initiatives against climate change. They explore innovative solutions like tidal power in Northern Ireland and floating solar panels in Albania. The discussion highlights impressive community efforts to protect forests in Borneo and Colombia. Additionally, they touch on the environmental impact of music festivals and intriguing concepts like virtual concerts to lower carbon footprints. Their insights showcase both large and small-scale actions in climate advocacy.
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Jul 29, 2024 • 26min

Can Science Fiction help us fight climate change?

Kim Stanley Robinson, an acclaimed US sci-fi author and climate activist, dives into how storytelling can ignite action against climate change. He discusses the significance of speculative narratives in shaping environmental discourse and the urgent need for innovative solutions. With a focus on his novel 'Ministry for the Future,' Robinson emphasizes the balance between hope and skepticism in climate action. He also highlights the essential role of indigenous perspectives in environmental stewardship, prompting a reflection on our ethical responsibilities.
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Jul 22, 2024 • 23min

What do this year's election results mean for our warming world?

Some of the world's biggest carbon emitters - including the EU, India and Indonesia - have just had elections. Will the results change their climate policies?Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar are joined by Anna Holligan, BBC correspondent in the Netherlands; Carl Nasman, BBC climate journalist based in Washington; and BBC climate reporter Esme Stallard.Producers: Ben Cooper and Graihagh Jackson Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown Editor: Simon Watts Sound mix: Tom Brignell
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Jul 16, 2024 • 26min

Can technology fight flooding in cities?

The podcast explores how technology like drones and AI are used to prevent flooding in cities, focusing on informal settlements. It discusses the impact of flooding on residents in Alex Township and innovative solutions to improve flood defenses. The use of digital maps in Brazil for disaster management is also highlighted.
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Jul 9, 2024 • 26min

What can we do to reduce black carbon?

Journalist Tulsi Rauniyar discusses the impact of black carbon on women and children in Nepal. Glacier expert Tenzing Chogyal Sherpa maps ice losses in the Himalayas. Zerin Osho explains the importance of black carbon in fighting climate change. The podcast explores initiatives, challenges, and solutions to reduce black carbon emissions.
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Jul 3, 2024 • 26min

How are athletes adapting to extreme heat?

The Paris Olympics are less than a month away. The last games in Tokyo were one of the hottest on record, with more than a hundred athletes suffering heat-related illnesses. And France, the host of this year’s Olympics, is no stranger to heatwaves – the country has seen 23 since 2010. So how are top athletes training their bodies to not only perform at their best in high temperatures, but also to protect their health? Presenter Qasa Alom heads inside a sweltering, state of the art heat chamber at Leeds Beckett University to find out how one of the fastest marathon runners in Britain, Phil Sesemann, is maximising his chances of success in his Olympic debut. Other athletes are more used to these conditions. We join India’s top triathlete, Pragnya Mohan, for a training run and hear what it’s like to compete when the thermometer climbs above 45 degrees Celsius. More and more athletes are adopting heat training strategies in a warming world - but do they affect men and women the same? Dr Jessica Mee, Research Fellow at the University of Worcester tells us about her pioneering research into the impacts of heat on women’s bodies. Featuring: Phil Sesemann, Team GB Olympic marathon runner Pragnya Mohan, Indian National Champion and South Asian Champion triathlete Dr Jessica Mee, Research Fellow in female health and heat strain at the University of Worcester Dan Snapes, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Sports and Excercise Physiology at Leeds Beckett University Email us at: theclimatequestion@bbc.com Presenter: Qasa Alom Producer: Sophie Eastaugh Editor: Simon Watts Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown
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Jun 23, 2024 • 23min

How do you negotiate a good climate deal?

As a new play depicts the landmark global climate change agreement, the Kyoto protocol, Jordan Dunbar has a front row seat. He heads to the historic English town of Stratford-Upon-Avon to watch the opening night of the play, Kyoto, at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. He hears why the writers, Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson decided to dramatize the seemingly slow and tedious action of a global climate change conference. And the duo explain their goal to highlight Kyoto as a ‘parable of agreement’ in a world full of disagreement.The programme also hears from two veterans of many real world climate change negotiations, including the Kyoto Protocol, the first global agreement to set legally binding targets. Christiana Figueres was responsible for leading climate negotiations as the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Farhana Yamin provided legal and strategy advice to the leaders of AOSIS, the Alliance of Small Island States at Kyoto and nearly every UN climate summit since. Christiana is now the host of the 'Outrage And Optimism' podcast.Got a question, comment or experience you’d like to share? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.comPresenter: Jordan Dunbar Producers: Phoebe Keane and Octavia Woodward Editor: Simon Watts Sound mix: Tom Brignell
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Jun 17, 2024 • 26min

Why is defending forests so deadly?

Someone dies every other day protecting the environment, according to data gathered by the campaign group, Global Witness. Even higher numbers of people are attacked or threatened. To understand why this is happening, the BBC’s East and Central Europe Correspondent, Nick Thorpe travels to the foothills of the Carpathians in Romania, to show us how important the forests there are in fighting climate change, why they’re subject to high levels of illegal logging and consequently, clashes with environmentalists. One activist, Gabriel Păun of Agent Green, describes the numerous and brutal attacks he’s experiences whilst out documenting illegal logging. We also hear from a mother, whose son was murdered when he confronted a ‘wood thief’ in 2019. Laura Furones from Global Witness tells host Graihagh Jackson why this is happening around the world and what we can do about it. Got a question, comment or experience you’d like to share? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com Produced and presented by Graihagh Jackson. Additional production by Osman Iqbal. Editor: Simon Watts Mixing: Tom Brignell
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Jun 9, 2024 • 26min

Are we spending enough on renewable energy?

The podcast explores the latest news in the warming world, including air turbulence linked to climate change and investments in renewable energy. Guests discuss the urgency for transitioning to clean energy, challenges faced by small islands, and the impact of clouds on climate. It also covers the rise in clean energy investments, turbulence incidents affecting flights, and the deployment of Earthcare satellite.
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Jun 3, 2024 • 26min

Is lab-grown meat better for the planet?

Is lab-grown meat truly a sustainable alternative? Dive into the debate as experts weigh its environmental merits against traditional farming. There's a clash between innovation and cultural acceptance, especially in the U.S. Learn about significant investments from China and the approval of cultivated meat in Singapore and Israel. While lab-grown options may reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the podcast emphasizes the importance of cutting down meat consumption altogether for broader climate benefits.

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