The Climate Question

As climate change makes the world hotter, some cities have appointed "Chief Heat Officers" to try to improve their response to record-breaking temperatures. Graihagh Jackson speaks to two women who have done the job in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and Monterrey, Mexico. What does their role involve? What solutions are out there? And do they get enough funding?Plus, Umaru Fofana reports from Freetown on the extreme heat gripping the city. Umaru talks to locals forced to sleep outside because of the temperature, despite risks to their health and safety. And he also investigates a new piece of building design that might help people living in informal settlements. Presenter: Graihagh Jackson Reporter in Sierra Leone: Umaru Fofana Producer: Osman Iqbal Researcher: Octavia Woodward Editor: Simon Watts Sound Engineers: James Beard and Tom Brignell

In the podcast, they discuss the idea of assembling solar farms in space to beam renewable energy to Earth by 2050. They cover the challenges of assembling, cost, and safety of the solar farms. They talk to experts from the European Space Agency and Portsmouth University, as well as an astronaut from the International Space Station. The concept is compared to nuclear fusion as a clean energy source.

Exploring the need for a 'Category 6' for hurricanes in the face of escalating storm severity due to climate change. Discussions on the formation and impact of cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons, highlighting the importance of improved protection measures. Debate on introducing a new hurricane category to convey the increasing strength of storms and challenges in updating the warning system.

President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, discusses Ghana's plans to build nuclear power plants by 2030 to combat climate change and energy crisis. The podcast explores the financial dynamics and challenges of nuclear power in emerging markets like Ghana, highlighting the implications for safety, financing, and maintenance culture.

Dr Musonda Mumba, Secretary-General of the Convention on Wetlands, discusses the importance of wetlands in combating climate change. Topics include the role of wetlands in carbon storage, their protection against extreme weather events, and the preservation of land and communities through planting mangroves in Bangladesh.

Global temperatures have already increased by around 1.3C above pre-industrial levels, but this warming is not spread evenly across the planet. The Arctic, despite being one of the coldest regions on Earth, has become a hotspot for global warming. Local temperatures there are rising as much as four-times faster than in other parts of the world. This rapid warming is unsettling the delicate environmental balance, causing significant ice loss – with implications for both the region and the wider world. In a previous episode on the Arctic region, Graihagh Jackson explored the impact that climate change was having on the people – and ice sheet – of Greenland. In the second part of The Climate Question's focus on the High North, she explores the implications of an increasingly ice-free region on global politics, military relations, and trade. Guests: Mathieu Boulègue, consulting fellow at Chatham House and global fellow at the Polar Institute of the Wilson Centre Julie Brigham-Grette, professor of Earth Sciences in the Department of Earth, Geographic and Climate Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Malte Humpert, senior fellow at the Arctic Institute Amund Trellevik, Norwegian journalist with Investigate EuropeProducer: Ben Cooper Series Producers: Simon Watts and Alex Lewis Editor: China Collins Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell Production Coordinators: Debbie Richford, Sophie Hill and Jacqui Johnson

Explore the potential impact of climate change on the 2024 elections, with insights from voters around the world. Discover the varying political approaches to climate change, including the US re-entering the Paris Climate Accord and Britain's net zero emissions commitment. Uncover the influence of climate change on the Australian election, and the importance of involving people in climate solutions. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes on the US, Ghana, and India.

You asked, we answered. In this episode, a panel of experts dive into your questions. How does war impact climate change? What are the carbon footprints of pets? Can so-called "green" or "living roofs" increase the resilience of cities? Send your questions to: theclimatequestion@bbc.comJoin Presenter Graihagh Jackson and her guests: Dr Akshat Rathi, Senior Reporter for Climate, Bloomberg Esme Stallard, Climate and science reporter, BBC News Prof Tamsin Edwards, Climate scientist, Kings College LondonProduction Team: Osman Iqbal, Octavia Woodward, Simon Watts, Matt Willis Sound Mix: Rod Farquhar, Tom Brignell

Lake Sihwa in South Korea is home to the world’s largest operating tidal power station, using the tides to generate enough power for a city of half a million people. This regular rise and fall of the seas is more predictable than sunny or windy weather and can be forecast years in advance. Nine thousand miles away in Northern Ireland is Strangford Lough. A narrow inlet leading to the mighty Atlantic Ocean means it’s one of the world’s best sites for harnessing tidal energy. The fast and strong currents have led to the world’s first commercial-scale tidal energy power station being built here. But now that’s being decommissioned.The technology for harnessing tidal energy has been around for more than half a century and the potential to create energy from the sea is huge. Yet tidal power only accounts for a tiny proportion of the global renewable energy mix. Presenter Graihagh Jackson finds out what’s holding tidal power back. Thanks to our contributors: Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe Dr Carwyn Frost, Lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast Choi Jae-baek, Senior Manager of K-water Email: theclimatequestion@bbc.com Presenter: Graihagh Jackson Reporters: BBC’s Jordan Dunbar in Norther Ireland and freelance journalist Malene Jensen in South Korea Producer: Ben Cooper Researcher: Octavia Woodward and Shorouk Elkobrosi Editor: Alex Lewis Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell

The podcast explores the potential of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in decarbonizing air travel. It discusses the challenges of producing SAF, sourcing renewable raw materials, and the limitations of biofuels. The episode highlights the world's first transatlantic flight powered by SAF, addressing skepticism and the importance of collaboration and innovation.