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The Climate Question

Latest episodes

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Nov 18, 2024 • 23min

What do developing nations want from the big climate summit?

When Cyclone Freddy swept through Malawi, it left 100s of thousands of people destitute. Now, survivors are among the first in the world to receive a new kind of climate compensation to relocate and rebuild their lives. This "loss and damage" funding is one of the key issues at the COP meeting in Baku. This year, the focus of the global climate summit is the help which more developed nations should give to countries in the Global South. Graihagh Jackson hears directly from Malawians who've received international climate aid, in their case from Scotland. And she asks Scottish First Minister, John Swinney: Is the money enough? Got a climate question you’d like answered? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721 Presenter: Graihagh Jackson BBC Africa Reporter in Malawi: Ashley Lime Producers: Octavia Woodward and Anne Okumu Production co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Katie Morrison Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts
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Nov 15, 2024 • 13min

What progress have we made on fighting climate change?

In his latest climate change 101, Jordan Dunbar looks at the world's success stories. These include the rise of renewable energy, greener urban planning and deep - if insufficient - cuts in carbon emissions. His guest is Dr Caterina Brandmayr, Director of Policy and Translation, Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London.Presenter and Producer: Jordan Dunbar Researchers: Octavia Woodward and Tsogzolmaa Shofyor Sound Design: Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts
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Nov 11, 2024 • 51min

The Climate Question x Global News Podcast: Listeners Questions Special

In a special programme, The Climate Question join forces with The Global News Podcast to tackle listeners' climate questions from around the world. How does war impact climate change? How can we protect small island nations? And what practical actions can we all take as individuals? Plus, what to look out for at COP 29, The UN's annual Climate Change conference, set to open in Azerbaijan. The Climate Question’s Graihagh Jackson, BBC Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt, and Global News Podcast host Nick Miles, provide the answers to a whole range of fascinating questions.Producers: Anna Murphy and Osman Iqbal Sound Engineers: James Piper and Tom Brignell Editors: Karen Martin and Simon WattsTell us what you think of the show or send us your own climate question. Email: TheClimateQuestion@bbc.com or Whatsapp: +44 8000 321 721
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Nov 9, 2024 • 26min

Trump wins: What does it mean for the climate?

Carl Nasman, BBC's US environment correspondent, dives into the implications of a Trump presidency on climate policy. He discusses how Trump's potential re-election could shake up international agreements like the Paris Accord, contrasting with the recent Biden era. The conversation highlights the vital role of the US in global climate negotiations, exploring how local initiatives in states like California continue to drive climate action despite federal challenges. Nasman also emphasizes the mixed legacy of Trump's policies on renewable energy and financial support for developing countries.
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Nov 4, 2024 • 26min

How is climate misinformation evolving?

Climate science and reporting are vital to understanding how our climate is changing and what we can do about it. But false information about climate change spread online is causing big problems. It’s no longer just about saying that climate change isn't happening; it’s increasingly about spreading uncertainty about its causes, its speed and the solutions. That’s making climate misinformation and disinformation harder to spot - and more divisive. Host Jordan Dunbar is joined by Jacqui Wakefield, global disinformation reporter with the BBC World Service and guests Marco Silva, climate disinformation journalist at BBC Verify and Prof Michael E Mann, climatologist and director of the Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media at the University of Pennsylvania.Researcher: Tsogzolmaa Shofyor Producer: Osman Iqbal Editor: Simon WattsTell us what you think of the show or send us your own climate question. Email: TheClimateQuestion@bbc.com or Whatsapp: +44 8000 321 721
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Oct 28, 2024 • 26min

Should we put a price on nature?

In this engaging discussion, Kevin Conrad, founder of the Coalition for Rainforests, and Pavan Sukhdev, CEO of GIST, delve into the idea of placing a price on nature. They explore the tension between valuing biodiversity and its intrinsic worth. The conversation touches on the role of rainforest ecosystems in carbon capture and the challenges of deforestation. Other key topics include the complexities of carbon credits, corporate impact on the environment, and the critical need for citizen involvement in climate accountability.
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Oct 21, 2024 • 26min

Your questions answered: The value of trees, "black" oxygen, AI's carbon footprint

Join Justin Rowlatt, BBC Climate Editor, Akshat Rathi, Senior Climate Reporter at Bloomberg, and Caroline Steel, Presenter for the BBC World Service. They tackle the critical role of sequoia trees and the consequences of deforestation. Discover the astonishing 'black' oxygen found in the depths of the ocean and its links to deep-sea mining. The conversation also highlights the carbon footprint of generative AI, revealing surprising truths about its environmental impact. Get ready for an engaging discussion on climate questions from listeners!
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Oct 14, 2024 • 26min

Is the climate on the ballot at the US election?

The southern US state of Georgia has received billions of dollars in investment in clean technology, creating tens of thousands of jobs at solar power factories and electric vehicle factories. It is also on the front-line of extreme weather - facing the threat of hurricanes, heatwaves and drought. So will voters in this swing state be considering climate change when they cast their ballots for the US presidential election in November? And how are politicians in Georgia talking about the issue. Jordan Dunbar takes a road trip across the state to find out.Got a question you’d like answered? Email: TheClimateQuestion@bbc.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721Presenter: Jordan Dunbar Producer: Beth Timmins Sound engineer: Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts
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7 snips
Oct 7, 2024 • 26min

Why don’t we use more geothermal energy?

This week, Christian Freytag, from Vulcan Energy Resources, and Moroccan geologist Amal Barish, share insights on geothermal energy's untapped potential. They discuss innovative projects that combine geothermal power with lithium extraction, highlighting the challenges and profitability of this renewable source. Amal reveals plans to drill into volcanic magma in Iceland, which could revolutionize geothermal energy. The conversation also touches on community concerns in Indonesia regarding local geothermal initiatives, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices.
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Sep 30, 2024 • 26min

What's it like like losing your home to the sea?

Explore the profound impact of rising sea levels on communities, with heart-wrenching stories from Fiji and the UK. Hear personal accounts of loss and resilience as families confront displacement and nostalgia for their homes. Feel the emotional strain of relocation and the importance of community connection. Experience the cultural transition of building new lives while preserving identity through music and shared memories. This journey paints a vivid picture of the urgency surrounding climate migration and the human spirit's fight for survival.

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