Heart UK

The Climate Question

<p>Why we find it so hard to save our own planet, and how we might change that.</p>

BBC World Service

Experts say we may now need to spend more on cooling our homes than heating them because of climate change. In fact, the International Energy Agency thinks the equivalent of 10 new air conditioners every second will be installed for the next 30 years! This surge in air con will put strain on the world’s electricity grids, which are still mostly powered by fossil fuels. The units also pump heat into the streets outside our homes – making cities feel even hotter when we step outside. But there are alternative options – like redesigning houses to include more shading and increase the air flow, or using fans and misting systems. We could also plant more trees or even change the colours of our homes to reflect more sunlight! In this edition of The Climate Question, Host Graihagh Jackson talks to BBC Tokyo Correspondent, Kurumi Mori, and Radhika Khosla, Professor of Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Oxford.  Got a question for The Climate Question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.comProducers: Diane Richardson and Melanie Stewart-Smith
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and Ricardo McCarthy
Editor: Simon Watts

Is air conditioning the answer to extreme heat?

Huge wildfires have been sweeping across Southern Europe and North America. Is climate change increasing the risk? And what can we do? Weather experts say the world is starting to see new types of wildfire – including enormous Pyrocumulonimbus fire clouds that spit lightning and black hail.These infernos can burn for more than a year. They can also spawn fire tornadoes, which move at more than 200 kilometres an hour, destroying everything in their path. The Climate Question hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar talk to John Vaillant, the author of “Fire Weather”, about how wildfires are increasing in intensity and frequency, and how they are burning in places they have never burned before. Got a question for The Climate Question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.comProducers: Simon Watts, Diane Richardson and Melanie Stewart-Smith
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and Dafydd Evans
Editor: Simon Watts

Is this a new era of wildfires?

Graihagh Jackson talks to mothers from India, Kenya and the UK about how climate change is affecting women's decisions about whether to have children and how to raise them.Her guests are Bhavreen Kandhari, a clean air campaigner from Delhi; Dr Susan Chomba, a Kenyan forest scientist and environmentalist; and Dr Elizabeth Cripps, a political philosopher specializing in climate justice. This programme was first broadcast in 2025.Got a question for The Climate Question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.comProduced and presented by Graihagh Jackson
Sound mix: Tom Brignell and Neil Churchill
Editor: Simon Watts

How is climate change affecting motherhood?

Climate activists have blocked highways, scaled oil rigs and even thrown soup at master artworks. But have protests ever made a difference? The modern green movement started in the 1970s when Greenpeace sailed a fishing boat towards a nuclear test site in Alaska. It now encompasses everything from bake-ins and marches to Radiohead concerts. A small minority of activists even favour breaking the law to raise awareness about climate change. Some of them have superglued themselves to railings and blocked bridges. BBC Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt has made a new podcast series about the green movement – and the heated splits among activists about tactics. He talks to Climate Question hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar about the past - and future - of climate protest.
 
You can hear Ten Fights That Made the Green Movement here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002ybblGot a question for The Climate Question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.comProducers: Simon Watts, Diane Richardson and Ellie House
Sound Mix: Mike Regaard
Editor: SImon Watts

Do climate protests ever work?

Scientists are warning that climate change and deforestation increase the risk of outbreaks of deadly diseases. How big is the danger? And what action can we take? Dr Neil Vora is a so-called “disease doctor” - an epidemiologist who has travelled the world to help trace the sources of outbreaks of Ebola, cow pox and rabies. Dr Vora tells The Climate Question hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar about his specialism in zoonotic diseases, which are caused by infections passing from animals to humans.  He is worried that the combination of climate change and cutting down forests will lead to more human-animal contact, and that the higher stress levels experienced by animals such as bats and monkeys will make them more likely to pass on deadly pathogens. Dr Vora says we need to act now to protect forests and avoid the possibility of epidemics or even a pandemic. Neil Vora started his career at the US Centres For Diseases Control and Prevention. He is now Executive Director at the Preventing Pandemics at the Source Coalition. Got a question for The Climate Question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.comProducers: Diane Richardson, Jordan Dunbar and Melanie Stewart-Smith
Sound Mix: Dafydd Evans and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

Could climate change fuel an epidemic?

The acclaimed US sci-fi author Kim Stanley Robinson is also a star in the world of climate activism because his work often features climate change - on Earth and beyond. Robinson has been a guest speaker at the COP climate summit, and novels such as The Ministry For The Future and The Mars Trilogy are admired by everyone from Barack Obama to former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres. Robinson's books are not just imaginative but scientifically accurate, and some of their ideas have even inspired new thinking about climate-proofing technology. Kim Stanley Robinson spoke to the Climate Question team in 2024.Presenters: Jordan Dunbar and Graihagh Jackson
Producer: Ben Cooper
Editor: Simon Watts
Sound Mix: Tom BrignellGot a question for The Climate Question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Can science fiction help us fight climate change?

More than seven billion of us are expected to be living in urban areas by 2050. So what are the world’s great cities doing about climate change? Humans are now city creatures – with more than half the world’s population already living in urban environments, and huge growth expected in cities in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa during the rest of the 21st century. So mayors are on the front line of dealing with climate change – whether it’s keeping people cool during heatwaves or redesigning cities to cope with floods. In this edition of The Climate Question, Host Jordan Dunbar hears about inspiring solutions from cable cars in Colombia to water parks in the Netherlands and city gardens in the Philippines. His guests are Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, the mayor of Freetown in Sierra Leone and Co-Chair of the C40 Cities Coalition, and Rogier van den Berg, an architect and urban planner who’s Global Director at the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. Jordan, Yvonne and Rogier also discuss the crucial role that cities need to play in reducing carbon emissions by making buildings more energy-efficient and rethinking transport. Got a question or comment? You can email the team: theclimatequestion@bbc.comProducers: Jordan Dunbar, Diane Richardson, Melanie Stewart-Smith
Sound Mix: Dave O'Neill and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

How to build a climate friendly city

Scientists say the El Niño weather pattern has started and this one is potentially so strong that it could have devastating effects in many parts of the world. So how does El Niño work exactly? And what’s the connection with climate change? El Niño starts when water temperatures rise near the Pacific coast of South America, but the impact on weather is felt around the globe. Some regions are more likely to experience severe droughts or more powerful storms; others could face the threat of severe flooding.  This “Super” El Niño is likely to add 0.2 or 0.3 degrees to the global temperature. When added to the impact of climate change, scientists say the world could be headed for a new heat record in 2027. In this edition of The Climate Question, hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar chat to Mark Maslin, Professor of Earth System Science at University College, London, about what might happen and how the world can prepare.Got a question or comment? You can email the team: theclimatequestion@bbc.comProducer: Grace Braddock
Sound Mix: Mike Regaard and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsPicture Credit:  Reuters

"Super" El Niños and climate change

Parts of India have been facing extreme heat - with temperatures soaring past 46 degrees Celsius. But a less familiar story unfolds after dark. When temperatures stay high after sunset, an essential human need is threatened: sleep.Scientific research suggests that hot nights are leading many of us around the world to lose shut-eye already. Our bodies need to cool down to fall asleep – but hotter nights make that much harder. And the impacts go way beyond just feeling tired; disrupted sleep has links to poor cardiovascular health and depression. Women, children, the elderly and those living in hot countries with less income are most affected. As global temperatures rise due to climate change, experts warn that the impact on our sleep – and our health – will only worsen. Presenter Graihagh Jackson speaks to sleep expert Dr Sophie Bostock and BBC Marathi reporter, Janhavee Moole. They explore how rising temperatures are disrupting sleep in India and beyond – and share practical tips on how to stay cool in a warming world.Producer: Graihagh Jackson, Janhavee Moole and Grace Braddock
Sound engineer: Ben Andrews and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

Is climate change ruining our sleep?

Insects play a crucial role in food production and the spread of disease, as well as being keystone species in many ecosystems. What does a warmer world mean for them?Climate Question hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar talk to zoologist Dr Tim Cockerill, Senior Lecturer at Falmouth University.Got a question or comment? You can email the team: theclimatequestion@bbc.comProducers: Diane Richardson, Graihagh Jackson and Grace Braddock
Sound mix: Mike Regaard and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

How will climate change affect insects?

Scorching temperatures are expected at this year’s World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. How will players and fans cope? And how will it affect the action on the pitch? Scientists are concerned about the impact of extreme heat on the biggest sporting event in history.  The organisers, FIFA, is introducing mandatory water breaks to keep players cool, but experts say the hot conditions may slow down the game and give an advantage to teams that play more matches in air-conditioned stadiums. There’s also concern about the health effects on fans. FIFA has put in place measures such as cooling areas and misting systems, but some say the plans don’t go far enough. The Climate Question hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar chat to Dr Madeleine Orr, Associate Professor of Sports Ecology at the University of Toronto, and BBC Sport Correspondent Katie Gornall. Katie also breaks down the carbon footprint of a World Cup that’s been described as one of the most polluting events ever. Got a question or comment? You can email the team: theclimatequestion@bbc.comPresenters: Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar
Producers: Nik Sindle, Jordan Dunbar, Melanie Stewart-Smith
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell, Philip Bull
Editor: Simon Watts

Can the World Cup cope with extreme heat?

Corals protect humans and sustain 25% of all marine life. But reefs are under threat from climate change, and mass bleaching events mean that some scientists estimate they could disappear by 2100.In this episode, Graihagh Jackson is joined by BBC CrowdScience presenter, Caroline Steel. We go to Puerto Rico to see how self-duplicating, carnivorous coral could be the solution. We also speak to the scientist who helped discover what was causing coral bleaching in the first place - back when climate change was commonly denied.This programme was first broadcast in 2024.Guests:
Dr Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Professor of Marine Studies at the University of Queensland in Brisbane
Dr Stacey Williams, Executive Director at the Institute for Socio Ecological ResearchPicture: Prickly alcyonarian - Dendronephthya sp. Orange red colored soft coral. Credit: ultramarinfoto via Getty.  Presenters: Graihagh Jackson and Caroline Steel
Producer: Octavia Woodward
Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown
Editor: Simon Watts
Sound Engineer: Tom BrignellGot a climate question you’d like answered? E-mail the team: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Can we save the world's coral?

In the global race for critical minerals - could the seabed provide solutions?  Or should we leave these metal-rich environments undisturbed?  Governments and mining companies around the world are on the hunt for the critical minerals we need for the green tech transition.  And there’s growing interest in an unlikely source – potato-shaped nodules that are found kilometres below the surface of our oceans.  These polymetallic nodules contain high levels of elements like cobalt, nickel, manganese and copper. Supporters of deep-sea mining say that harvesting them might be less damaging to the environment than mining on land.  But many scientists support a moratorium; they say industrial activity on the seabed could damage the biodiversity of a fragile part of our planet.The BBC’s Climate and Science Reporter Georgina Rannard has been following the deep-sea mining debate for five years. She chats to Hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar.Got a question or comment? Email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.comProduction team: Simon Watts, Graihagh Jackson, Diane Richardson, Melanie Stewart-Smith 
Sound Engineers:  Jonny Hall and Tom Brignell 
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown 
Editor: Simon WattsPicture Credit: A Brittle Star, Michael Zeigler via Getty Images

Should we mine the deep ocean?

Electric vehicle sales are soaring in Thailand and Vietnam. What’s behind the boom? And will it help the climate? Thais and Vietnamese are switching to electric cars in huge numbers – attracted by government subsidies and a more exciting range of EVs.  Jobs in the car industry are also up in both countries as a new generation of manufacturers compete for domination of the emerging electric market.  But can the pace of growth last? Will the boom in electric cars reduce the chronic air pollution in cities like Bangkok? And will it help Thailand and Vietnam reduce their carbon emissions? In this edition of The Climate Question, Host Jordan Dunbar chats to Ember’s Asian Energy Analyst, Lam Pham and Bloomberg’s Thailand Reporter, Patpicha Tanakasempipat. Got a question or comment? Email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.comPresenter: Jordan Dunbar
Producer: Nik Sindle
Sound engineer: Jack Graysmark and Tom Brignell 
Editor: Simon Watts

The electric car boom in South East Asia

What’s the carbon footprint of streaming your favourite shows or doing an AI search?   How vulnerable are river estuaries to climate change? Plus, are you a climate optimist or pessimist? Graihagh Jackson and her panel answer your questions.    The panel are Justin Rowlatt, BBC climate editor; Akshat Rathi, senior climate reporter for Bloomberg News and host of Bloomberg's Zero podcast; and Caroline Steel, presenter of BBC CrowdScience. Got a question or comment for the next listeners' show? You can email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721 Production team: Diane Richardson and Grace Braddock 
Sound Engineers: Ben Andrews and Tom Brignell 
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown 
Editor: Simon WattsPicture Credit:  ljubaphoto via Getty Images

Q+A: The carbon footprint of your tech and AI

It’s one of the most commonly debated questions in the climate world: Is this weather we’re experiencing natural, or is it linked to man-made climate change? In this episode of The Climate Question, Hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar are joined by BBC Lead Weather Presenter, Matt Taylor. Matt’s forecasts are seen not just in the UK but around the world. Matt chats to Graihagh and Jordan about the crucial difference between weather and climate, and the challenge of communicating this on air. They discuss why heavy snowfall will still be possible in a warmer world, as well as the likely increase in droughts, heatwaves and extreme weather. Matt also talks about whether climate change will make his forecasts more or less accurate. And he tells Graihagh and Jordan about an encounter with BBC wildlife legend, David Attenborough!Got a climate question or comment? Email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.comPresenters: Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar
Producers: Nik Sindle and Melanie Stewart-Smith
Sound Mix: Ricardo McCarthy and Tom Brignell
Editors: Simon Watts and Melanie Stewart-Smith

Is this climate change or just crazy weather?

In 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear accident devastated the Soviet Union and shocked the world. But, 40 years on, are we now seeing a nuclear renaissance? And what does that mean for the climate? Climate Question host Jordan Dunbar has just visited the most contaminated place in the world for a BBC World Service documentary. He tells co-host Graihagh Jackson about the ghostly atmosphere in the former Chernobyl control room and the huge dome that now covers the remains of the nuclear reactor that exploded. Jordan and Graihagh also discuss how the disaster set back the nuclear power industry for decades. Now, however, nuclear is firmly back on the international agenda because of rising power demand and concerns about energy security.  With around 40 countries now aiming to build more nuclear power stations, what will this mean for the climate and the world’s goal of keeping global warming under control? Got a question or a comment? Email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.comPresenters: Jordan Dunbar and Graihagh Jackson
Producers: Simon Watts and Diane Richardson
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsPicture credit: Getty Images

Chernobyl at 40: Is nuclear power back in fashion?

With more and more people moving to cities, informal settlements are expected to grow. When floods hit these unplanned places, it can be disastrous, as we often don’t know much about them. Crucial questions often remain difficult to answer, like how many people live there, what are the buildings made of, and could they withstand a flood? In the township of Alexandra in Johannesburg, the BBC’s Nomsa Maseko visits a project using drones and artificial intelligence to help authorities prevent the worst impacts of flooding. And in Porto Alegre in the south of Brazil, we hear how an innovative digital map helped the emergency response – and will soon be available to all for free across the world.This programme was first broadcast in 2024. You can email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.comGuests:
Rodrigo Rocha, Partner at the Responsive Cities Institute, Porto Alegre
Dr Caroline Gevaert, Associate Professor at the International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente
Nomsa Maseko, the BBC’s South Africa CorrespondentPresenter: Jordan Dunbar
Producer: Osman Iqbal
Researcher: Octavia Woodward
Sound mix: Tom Brignell
Editors: Sophie Eastaugh and Simon WattsImage: Reuters

Can technology help us fight flooding in cities?

Earthquakes are caused by a sudden release of stress along faults in the earth's crust, not by climate change, but some new studies suggest that melting glaciers and permafrost may influence when, where and how often seismic activity occurs.  In this episode, hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar chat to seismologist Dr. Verena Simon from the Swiss Seismology Service and Associate Professor of Geosciences at Colorado State University, Sean Gallen.   Got a question or comment? email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.comProduction team: Diane Richardson, Grace Braddock 
Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell and Philip Bull
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown. 
Editor: Simon Watts. (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)

Earthquakes and climate change

How much does advertising influence what we buy and how we think?A growing number of cities are restricting adverts for fossil fuel products, from flights and petrol cars to gas heating. From May, Amsterdam is set to become the first capital city to do so. In 2024, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on countries to introduce similar bans worldwide.In this episode of The Climate Question, Jordan Dunbar asks whether banning fossil fuel adverts is a good idea and whether it makes any difference when it comes to fighting climate change.He speaks to Marco Silva from BBC Verify about the role advertising plays in shaping public attitudes, and Anna Holligan, the BBC's correspondent in The Hague, explains how the restrictions in The Netherlands actually work.Guests:
Anna Holligan – BBC correspondent in The Hague
Marco Silva – Senior journalist, BBC VerifyGot a question or comment? email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.comProduction team: Grace Braddock, Diane Richardson, Nik Sindle, Melanie Stewart-Smith
Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell and James Piper
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown
Editor: Simon WattsPicture: Getty Images

Why are some cities banning fossil fuel ads?

As climate change makes the world hotter, some cities have appointed so-called Chief Heat Officers to try to improve their response to record-breaking temperatures. In 2024, Graihagh Jackson spoke 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 what happens when extreme heat grips 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.Got a question or comment? email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.comPresenter: Graihagh Jackson
Producer: Osman Iqbal
Sound engineer: James Beard and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

What's it like being a chief heat officer?

Transport is one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and in cities around the world it is also one of the biggest daily frustrations. Congestion, pollution and long journeys to work affect millions of people every day.In this episode of The Climate Question, Jordan Dunbar explores how cities can move large numbers of people more quickly, cheaply and with fewer emissions. With most urban journeys still dominated by private cars, the challenge is how to shift people towards more efficient forms of transport.He speaks to Dario Hidalgo, a transport expert based in Bogotá, where a system known as Bus Rapid Transit has helped transform how millions of people travel. By giving buses dedicated lanes, larger vehicles and faster boarding systems, cities can move more people using fewer vehicles, cutting both congestion and emissions. Variations of the model are now being used in cities around the world.Jordan also hears from Sarah Kaufman, Director of the NYU Rudin Center for Transportation in New York, about why similar systems can be harder to implement in dense cities, and how measures like congestion charging are helping to reduce traffic and fund improvements to public transport.While electric cars are often seen as part of the solution, both experts say reducing the number of cars on the road altogether is key. From buses to bikes, they explore how cities might redesign transport systems to be cleaner, faster and more efficient.Guests:
Dario Hidalgo – Professor of Transport and Logistics, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá
Sarah Kaufman – Director, NYU Rudin Center for Transportation, New YorkGot a question or comment? email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.comProduction team: Grace Braddock, Diane Richardson, Nik Sindle
Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell and Mike Regaard
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown
Editor: Melanie Stewart-SmithImage: Guillermo Legaria/AFP via Getty Images

Can better buses fix city pollution?

The Climate Question panel answer your queries. Do beavers protect the planet? Should we put solar panels in deserts? And why does the world need to upgrade its electricity grids?Host Graihagh Jackson puts your head-scratchers to Justin Rowlatt, BBC climate editor; Akshat Rathi, senior climate reporter for Bloomberg News and host of Bloomberg's Zero podcast; and Caroline Steel, presenter of BBC CrowdScience. Got a question for the next listeners' show? You can email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721 Production team: Diane Richardson and Grace Braddock
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and Johnny Hall
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown
Editor: Simon WattsPicture Credit:  A beaver. Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Q&A: Beavers, solar panels in the Sahara and nuclear waste

War leaves a visible trail of destruction: lives and families devastated, homes and communities reduced to rubble.  But there is also a climate cost of armed conflict, and it’s an issue that Climate Question listeners have been asking about. So in this show, Host Graihagh Jackson chats to two leading experts about the carbon footprint of battle itself - the jets, the bombs, the supply lines - and the impact of maintaining armies and bases during peacetime. They discuss Gaza and Ukraine, as well as the current US-Israel war with Iran.Graihagh also finds out if there any ways for the military to reduce their emissions and whether they see climate change as a strategic threat.GUESTS:  
Neta Crawford, Professor of International Relations, University of St Andrews. 
Dr. Benjamin Neimark, Associate Professor at Queen Mary, University of London Got a question or comment? email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.comProducers:  Diane Richardson, Grace Braddock 
Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell and Philip Bull 
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown 
Editor: Simon Watts

What's the climate cost of war?

Methane is much more powerful than carbon dioxide and emissions are still rising. So what can we do to tackle the human-made sources of this greenhouse gas? And could this buy us time to get to grips with climate change?It's a topic which many Climate Question listeners have been contacting us about. So in this episode Hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar put some of your questions and comments to Mark Maslin, Professor of Earth System Sciences at University College London.What makes methane so powerful? Is meat production to blame? And what about leaks and gas-flaring in the fossil fuel industry?Got a question or comment, email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.comProduction team: Simon Watts, Diane Richardson, Grace Braddock 
Sound Engineers: Tom Brignell and James Piper 
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown
Editor: Simon Watts

Is cutting methane the quick way to cool the planet?

China is installing solar panels and wind turbines so fast that its greenhouse gases emissions may now have peaked. If this trend is confirmed, it would be a major milestone in the fight against climate change because China is the world's largest polluter.The BBC’s Beijing Correspondent Laura Bicker has travelled across China to see the country’s clean energy revolution first hand.  She’s visited solar farms in the deserts of Inner Mongolia and in the tea plantations of Yunnan. Laura even discovered a huge lake with panels floating on the surface! But she also saw how China’s addiction to coal is continuing – with new power plants still being built and many poorer Chinese needing to burn coal to get through the winter. In this edition of The Climate Question, Laura chats about her reporting with hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar. They discuss whether the world’s biggest polluter is moving fast enough to meet its green energy targets, and what that means for China and the rest of the world. Got a question you’d like answered? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.comPresenters: Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar
Guest: Laura Bicker, BBC China Correspondent
Producer in China: Joyce Liu
Production Team in London: Simon Watts and Grace Braddock
Sound Mix: Philip Bull and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsImage: BBC - Solar panels in Yunnan, China

China's green energy revolution

First broadcast in 2024.  Graihagh Jackson finds out about the little know pollutant making us sick and driving the climate crisis.    It commonly comes from burning coal, diesel or wood and has a habit of getting stuck in people’s lungs as well as causing glaciers to melt.   In Nepal, home to some of the world’s most beautiful glaciers, we meet journalist Tulsi Rauniyar, who tells us all about the impact black carbon is having on women and children. She meets Tenzing Chogyal Sherpa, a glacier expert who maps the ice losses in the Himalayas.    Zerin Osho from the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development helps us understand why black carbon is so important - but often forgotten - in the fight against climate change, and how we can change that. NOTE: The figure given in this programme for the exact amount of global warming linked to black carbon is incorrect. The correct figure will be included in this programme description once re-checked.   Got a question you’d like answered? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.comPresenter: Graihagh Jackson 
Producer: Ben Cooper  
Researcher: Octavia Woodward 
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown  
Editor: Simon Watts  
Sound Designer: Tom Brignell  PHOTO CREDIT: SAIF DAHLAH/AFP via Getty Images

What can we do to reduce black carbon?

Winter sport depends on one thing that is becoming less reliable each year: snow. As temperatures rise, glaciers are retreating, seasons are shifting, and lower-elevation resorts are struggling to guarantee consistent conditions.Hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar explore the ways climate change is reshaping winter sport, from elite competition to local economies. Former alpine ski racer and BBC Ski Sunday presenter Chemmy Alcott describes how competitors have to deal with shorter training seasons, cancelled races and increasing injury risks.They also speak to Daniel Scott, a leading researcher on climate change and winter tourism at the University of Waterloo in Canada, about which cities may still be able to host the Winter Olympics and Paralympics by the 2050s. And Professor Scott tells The Climate Question how organisers are adapting through snowmaking, snow storage and changes to competition schedules.Guests:
Chemmy Alcott – former British Winter Olympian and BBC Ski Sunday presenter
Professor Daniel Scott – University of Waterloo, CanadaIf you have a question for the team, email: theclimatequestion@bbc.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721Presenters: Jordan Dunbar and Graihagh Jackson
Production team: Grace Braddock, Diane Richardson, Nik Sindle
Sound engineers: Tom Brignell and Philip Bull
Editor: Simon WattsImage: Reuters

Can winter sports survive a warming world?

Fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, dread and powerlessness are some of the many emotions associated with what’s called climate anxiety.   A global survey of 10,000 young people aged between 16–25 years, found that 60% were very worried about climate change, and nearly half said that their anxiety negatively effects their daily life.    Psychologists say these are rational responses to our changing climate, experienced in many different ways around the world.  Graihagh Jackson asks how people can manage these difficult emotions and whether climate anxiety itself can be motivational.   Graihagh chats to:   Svetlana Chigozie Onye who leads the Eco-anxiety in Africa Project, which looks at the mental health impact of climate change and solutions across Africa. Dr Daniella Watson, Chartered Health Psychologist and a Research Associate at the The Climate Cares Centre, Imperial College London.  Got a question you’d like us to answer? Send an email to: TheClimateQuestion@bbc.com or whatsapp us on +44 8000 321 721 Presenter: Graihagh Jackson  
Production Team: Diane Richardson, Nik Sindle, Maria Ogundele  
Sound Engineers: Jonny Hall and Tom Brignell 
Editor: Simon Watts  
 
Image Credit: Dried up dam. Mike Hutchings, Reuters.

What is climate anxiety and how can you cope with it?

We know the planet is getting hotter because of human-induced climate change. But just how hot could it get?In this show, Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar chat to Nasa scientist, Kate Marvel, about the world of climate modelling. Kate has spent decades trying to work out what will happen to the Earth as emissions of carbon dioxide increase.  Although the basic facts of climate change are settled, climate modellers are trying to understand how photosynthesis by plants will change in a warmer world. And they’re also puzzling over the crucial role played by clouds! Recently, Kate has written Human Nature, a book about how climate change affects our emotions - from grief and anger to hope and love. She says the wide range of feelings prompted by global warming are compatible with getting the science right.Presenter: Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar
Production Team: Nik Sindle, Diane Richardson, Brenda Brown
Sound engineer: Phil Bull and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsIf you have a question for the team, email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721(Image: Wildfires in California. Credit: Reuters)

How hot could the planet get?

How farmers and scientists in eastern India are using ancient rice seeds to fight the growing impact of flooding, soil salinity and drought.The BBC’s William Kremer tells Graihagh Jackson about his visit to the Sundarbans in West Bengal, where cyclones and rising sea levels have devastated crops. William meets the rice growers drawing on the skills of their forefathers to feed their families. Graihagh also gets a global overview from Dr Rafal Gutaker, rice expert at Kew Gardens, London. This programme was first broadcast in 2025.Reporter in India: William Kremer
Production Team: Diane Richardson, Graihagh Jackson, Octavia Woodward
Sound Mix: Neil Churchill and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsIf you have a question for the team, email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721
Image credit: Reuters

Could ancient rice seeds help fight climate change?

Across the world, cars are getting taller, wider and heavier. Sports Utility Vehicles, or SUVs, now dominate global car sales, and the trend has continued into the electric age with many new EVs larger than ever.In this episode of The Climate Question, Jordan Dunbar examines why bigger cars have become so popular with drivers and so profitable for manufacturers. From comfort and safety to status and aspiration, SUVs are reshaping roads across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.Size matters. Heavier vehicles use more energy, require bigger batteries, and create challenges for cities, from congestion and parking to road damage and safety. Jordan speaks to Theo Leggett, the BBC’s International Business Correspondent, and Anjani Trivedi, Global Business Correspondent at The Economist, about car-spreading, emissions, electrification, and whether governments and consumers could reverse the trend.Guests:
Theo Leggett, BBC International Business Correspondent
Anjani Trivedi, Global Business Correspondent, The EconomistPresenter: Jordan Dunbar
Production team: Ben Andrews, Grace Braddock, Tom Brignell, Gareth Jones, Diane Richardson, Nik Sindle
Editor: Simon WattsImage: CJ Gunther / EPA-EFE / REX / ShutterstockGot a question or a comment? You can email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Are SUVs becoming a climate problem?

People often ask whether there are any quick fixes to the climate crisis — easy wins that could cut emissions without waiting decades. This week, The Climate Question does something a little different.Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar stage an imaginary cabinet meeting, with three “ministers” competing to deliver the biggest climate impact in just five years. Climate scientist and YouTuber Adam Levy pitches methane cuts in food and farming. Radhika Khosla, an urban climatologist and adviser to national governments, argues building smarter and reducing air conditioning are the fastest levers. And Jordan steps into the role of Transport Minister to make the case for buses, bikes and less traffic.Together, they explore whether these quick fixes are enough — and why, if they’re so effective, they aren’t already happening.Guests:
Radhika Khosla – Associate Professor, University of Oxford
Adam Levy – Climate Scientist and creator of ClimateAdamHosts: Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar
Production Team: Grace Braddock, Tom Brignell, Dafydd Evans, Diane Richardson, Nik Sindle
Editor: Simon WattsImage: ReutersGot a question or a comment? You can email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Are there any quick fixes to the climate crisis?

Whales are among the largest animals to have ever lived – and scientists are discovering they also play a big role in the climate system. From the food they eat to where their waste and bodies end up, whales help move carbon from the atmosphere to the deep ocean, where it can be locked away for centuries.This week, Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar explore what whales can tell us about climate change – and how warming seas may be affecting them in return. They speak to Victoria Gill, BBC Science Correspondent, about new research analysing Antarctic seabed samples to trace how whale populations influence long-term carbon storage.They also hear from Helen Czerski, physicist, oceanographer and author of Blue Machine: How the Ocean Shapes Our World, about one of the most surprising scientific records of all: whale earwax – and how it reveals stress levels in the changing oceans.Guests:
Victoria Gill, BBC Science Correspondent
Helen Czerski, Professor of the Environment and Society, University College LondonHosts: Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar
Production Team: Grace Braddock, Tom Brignell, James Piper, Diane Richardson, Nik Sindle
Editor: Simon WattsGot a question or a comment? You can email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

What can whales tell us about climate change?

We answer YOUR climate questions – on everything from “green” careers to ice cores to the world’s electricity challenge! In this edition of The Climate Question, Host Graihagh Jackson explores your climate-related headscratchers. Her panel chat about the new jobs that will open up as the world economy moves away from fossil fuels – and the skills that will be needed. They also discuss the dangers of nitrous oxide – a planet-warming gas, but also crucial for the fertilisers that help feed us. And have you ever wondered how scientists actually date the ice cores they dig out of glaciers. Some of them are 100,000s of years old! Plus: the controversial scientists who’ve won the Nobel Prize, and is there anywhere on Earth that’s untouched by humans? Host: Graihagh Jackson 
Guests: BBC Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt, BBC CrowdScience Presenter Caroline Steel, and Akshat Rathi, Bloomberg Senior Climate Reporter and Host of the Bloomberg Green podcast.Production Team: Diane Richardson, Nik Sindle, Graihagh Jackson, Grace Braddock
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsGot a question or a comment? You can email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Q&A: The jobs of the future, nitrous oxide, ice cores

Storms, cyclones and flooding in South East Asia have killed close to 2000 people, devastating communities across Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Scientists warn climate change is reshaping weather patterns, increasing the risk of heavier rainfall and more destructive floods in the future.With many densely populated cities sinking and built on flood-prone land, the region is particularly vulnerable. But experts say there are bold ideas and solutions that could help reduce the risks and save lives.In this special collaboration between The Climate Question and the new BBC World Service podcast Asia Specific, Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar join host Mariko Oi to explore what made the floods so deadly — and what can be done in the future.Sound engineer: Tom Brignell
Editors: Bill Birtles and Simon WattsGot a question or a comment? You can email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

What made the floods in South East Asia so deadly?

What do you think of when you think about our oceans? Maybe you see a picture of our planet with a big patch of blue? Maybe you think about storms or dramatic ocean voyages? Maybe fish or coral reefs? In this edition of The Climate Question, Hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar explore how our oceans are even more important than you might imagine. They help put the brakes on climate change and regulate our weather - even in faraway deserts. They provide food, and even influence the rise of great civilisations, like Ancient Egypt.  Graihagh and Jordan are joined by oceanographer and physicist Helen Czerski, author of Blue Machine, How the Ocean Shapes Our World. Helen also chats about the challenges of trying to collect data at sea during huge storms. Hosts: Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar
Production team: Simon Watts, Nik Sindle, Grace Braddock
Sound engineer: Ben Andrews and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsGot a question or a comment? You can email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

What does the ocean do for us and the planet?

Across the world vehicle manufacturers are racing to make zero emission cars in the move away from fossil-fuel powered vehicles. It’s a huge market which could reach 9 trillion dollars worldwide by 2030. One small country which is grabbing this opportunity is Hungary. Located in the heart of Europe but with a population of under 10 million, it’s becoming one of the top battery producers globally for electric cars.This transition is bringing billions of euros of investment into the Hungarian economy and creating tens of thousands of jobs. One city in particular – Debrecen – the country’s second biggest, is becoming an epi-centre for battery production. The Climate Question’s Jordan Dunbar has been to Debrecen to find out who’s benefitting from the green gold rush. He speaks to local people and businesses about their hopes and fears as their city is transformed.This programme was first broadcast in February 2025.Presenter: Jordan Dunbar
Producers in Hungary: Ellie House and Balint Bardi
Producer in London: Caroline Bayley
Sound Designer: Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsIf you have a question, email us at the climatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at +44 8000 321 721

Who wins in the electric vehicles transition?

How can the world speed up its efforts to fight climate change? It’s been a dramatic fortnight at the COP climate summit in the Amazonian city of Belem, with torrential rains and floods, protests and even a fire. A deal has finally been done but it’s divisive and has left many wondering whether we'll really avoid the worst effects of a warming world. Join Jordan Dunbar and Graihagh Jackson as they take a deep dive into the results of the negotiations and find out what they mean. The BBC’s Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt joins us from Brazil. Plus, our panel of experts discuss the future of climate action.Guests:
Adil Najam, Professor of International Relations and Environment at the Pardee School, USA  
David Victor, Professor of Innovation and Public Policy at the University of California, USA 
Dr Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands Production Team: Diane Richardson, Nik Sindle, Jordan Dunbar, Grace Braddock, Melanie Stewart-Smith, Steven Bailey
Editor: Simon WattsGot a question or a comment? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

How can the world speed up climate action?

The American lawyer, oil lobbyist and master strategist Don Pearlman is said to have chain-smoked his way through almost every UN climate gathering from the early 1990s until his death in 2005.Some of those who saw Pearlman operate in Kyoto, where the first legally binding international agreement on climate change was agreed in 1997, say he created the playbook for stalling climate talks. The Kyoto protocol was never ratified by the United States, and Pearlman is now the subject of a major play, Kyoto, which has just transferred from London to the Lincoln Center in New York.As the COP30 climate summit takes place in Brazil, Climate Question Host Jordan Dunbar has been telling our friends on The Global Story podcast the true story of the man once nicknamed "the high priest of the carbon club". With episodes each weekday, The Global Story is where the world and America meet. The world is changing. Decisions made in the US and by the second Trump administration are accelerating that change. But they are also a symptom of it. With Asma Khalid in DC, Tristan Redman in London, and the backing of the BBC’s international newsroom, The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption.For The Global Story podcastProducers: Aron Keller and Cat Farnsworth
Executive producer: James Shield
Mix: Travis Evans
Senior news editor: China Collins

The oil lobbyist who tried to sink the first big climate deal

Carbon dioxide is a molecule so important it has shaped life on Earth for billions of years. Without it, there would be no plants, no oceans, no people. But now, after centuries of burning coal, oil and gas, it's in the atmosphere at levels that alarm scientists.In this episode of The Climate Question, Graihagh Jackson speaks to Peter Brannen, science journalist and author of The Story of CO2 is the Story of Everything, and Esme Stallard, BBC climate and science reporter. They explore what makes this tiny molecule so powerful, how it has driven ice ages and mass extinctions, why the story of CO2 is the story of human progress — and what might come next. Host: Graihagh Jackson
Production Team: Diane Richardson, Nik Sindle, Graihagh Jackson, Grace Braddock
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and Ben Andrews
Editor: Simon WattsGot a question or a comment? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

How does carbon dioxide shape our world?

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

COP: Is this the world’s toughest event to organise?

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

Why does the Amazon matter?

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

Somalia: Where climate change meets conflict

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

Can Mumbai cope with a changing monsoon?

Today, more than half the world’s population live in cities – and as our numbers swell, so will our cities, especially those around the Pacific Rim, where it’s predicted our largest megacities of 10 million plus will be situated. And herein lies an opportunity: 60% of the buildings needed for 2050 are not yet built.Could we shape our cities into places that are good for the climate and also good for our mental health? Can we design buildings and infrastructure that make green decisions easier and also help us deal with stress or depression?In a programme first broadcast in 2024, Jordan Dunbar hears about examples in the Netherlands and Egypt. Are there win-win options out there that can help the world deal with two of its biggest challenges?Contributors:
Houssam Elokda -Urban Planner, with Happy Cities, Vancouver
Sally Nabil - BBC Arabic Egypt Correspondent, Cairo
Anna Holligan - BBC Correspondent, The Hague, NetherlandsProduction Team: Graihagh Jackson, Octavia Woodward, Brenda Brown
Sound Design: Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsGot a question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Can we build better cities for mental health and the climate?

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

What do ice cores tells us about climate change?

Geothermal energy is renewable, reliable and powerful. So, why is most of it untapped? That’s what our listener, Anna in the UK, wants to know. Full disclosure, she’s a geologist and is thoroughly perplexed by the lack of uptake. Geothermal is renewable, reliable and abundant and yet, less than 1% of the world’s energy is generated from it. 
 
Host Graihagh Jackson hears about a team in Iceland who hope to "super-charge" geothermal power by drilling directly into volcanic magma. And she travels to Germany to visit Vulcan Energy, a company which is combining geothermal with extracting one of the world's most sought-after metals: Lithium.  
 
Plus, our reporter in Indonesia tells Graihagh about local opposition to some geothermal power plants.  
 
The programme was first broadcast in 2024. 
 
 
Got a question you’d like answered?  
Email: TheClimateQuestion@bbc.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721  
 
Host: Graihagh Jackson  
Reporter in Indonesia: Johanes Hutabarat  
Producer: Osman Iqbal 
Sound Mix: James Beard and Tom Brignell 
Editor: Simon Watts

Why don’t we use more geothermal energy?

Graihagh Jackson and the BBC’s former Global Health Correspondent Tulip Mazumdar investigate how extreme heat, fuelled by climate change, is affecting pregnant women in India.  
 
In the southern state of Tamil Nadu, Tulip hears the heart-breaking stories of some of the women affected and explores simple solutions that would make their work in scorching agricultural fields safer. 
 
The programme was first broadcast in 2024. 
 
Email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com 
 
Produced by Sophie Eastaugh, Graihagh Jackson and Camilla Horrox 
Editor: Sophie Eastaugh 
Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell and James Beard 
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown

How does extreme heat affect pregnancy?

When people talk about tipping points in the climate, it’s usually bad news – the irreversible melting of ice sheets or the collapse of rainforests. But could there be positive tipping points too, moments where climate solutions break through and spread rapidly?Tim Lenton, Professor of Climate Change at the University of Exeter and author of Positive Tipping Points: How to Fix the Climate Crisis, says it’s already happening – from the dramatic rise of renewable energy to the surge in electric vehicles. He explains how in Norway, the 80s pop band A-Ha played a crucial role in making EVs mainstream.So, could positive tipping points hold the key to addressing the climate crisis?
 
Hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar speak to Professor Lenton about how positive tipping points happen and what we can learn from them. 
 
Got a question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com
 
Production Team: Jonathan Baker, Grace Braddock, Tom Brignell, Diane Richardson, Sabine Schereck and Nik Sindle
Editor: Simon Watts

Will the switch to green technology become unstoppable?

Africa gets a world beating amount of sunshine — but has just 1% of the world’s solar panels. Over half the continent still lives without electricity, stalling progress and holding back people’s lives. But change may be coming — thanks to a surge in solar imports from China. New data from energy think tank EMBER shows a 60% jump in solar panel shipments to Africa in the past year. If installed, they could generate 15 GW — nearly doubling Africa’s current solar capacity. It’s not just the biggest energy users like South Africa, Nigeria, and Algeria. Countries like Liberia, DRC, Benin, Angola, and Ethiopia have tripled their imports. So, is this the start of a solar-powered revolution on the continent? Hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar speak to Dr Rose Mutiso, Science Advisor at the Energy for Growth Hub and Founder of the African Tech Futures Lab. Got a question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.comProduction Team: Jordan Dunbar, Nik Sindle, Diane Richardson, Grace Braddock, Chris Gouzaris and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

Will there be a solar power boom in Africa?

The world's wetlands store carbon and can help us tackle some of the impacts of climate change. Are we overlooking their importance? And what can we do to protect them more?Graihagh Jackson travels to wetlands near her home in East Anglia while Qasa Alom reports from the Bay of Bengal. And The Climate Question catches up with an old friend of the show, Dr Musonda Mumba, Secretary-General of the Convention on Wetlands.This programme was first broadcast in 2024.Production team: Osman Iqbal, Octavia Woodward, Brenda Brown, Simon Watts
Sound design by Tom Brignell.Send your questions to: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Are wetlands our secret weapon in fighting climate change?

Twenty years ago, Hurricane Katrina devastated America’s Gulf coast and overwhelmed the city of New Orleans. The destruction and the response to the storm became infamous and are debated to this day. Climate scientists warn that the warming world is likely to make typhoons, cyclones and hurricanes more intense and so even more dangerous. Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar ask what the world has learned since the disaster in New Orleans, and how we can build cities that can stand up better to more extreme weather events. They chat to Prof Reggie DesRoches, an engineer who was on the ground in the aftermath of Katrina to help find out what had gone wrong. His work specialises in adapting infrastructure for natural disasters, including developing innovative materials and practical techniques that might just help us adapt to more violent storms. Can we build a world where hurricanes can't kill? Guest: Prof Reggie DesRoches, President, Rice University, HoustonPresenter: Graihagh Jackson with Jordan Dunbar
Producers: Jordan Dunbar, Di Richardson and Nik Sindle
Sound mix: Tom Brignell and Sarah Kimberley
Editor: Simon WattsGot a climate question you’d like answered? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721

Can we build a world where hurricanes can't kill?

This week Host Graihagh Jackson grabs a chat with the BBC’s correspondents in two countries that will shape our future climate. Brazil is about to host the giant COP climate conference in the Amazon, but the pace of reducing deforestation has just slowed and there are concerns about potentially weaker environmental standards. Ione Wells in Sao Paulo also talks Graihagh through proposals for oil exploration in the mouth of the rainforest. Plus, China has just started work on the world’s biggest hydroelectric dam. It’s a huge 167-billion dollar project to bring power from Tibet to Hong Kong. The dam will increase Beijing’s use of renewable energy, but comes with a potential environmental cost, as well as the risk of creating tension with China’s neighbours. Laura Bicker gives us some staggering facts and figures about the dam – as well as an explanation of how fish can use “ladders”.  Got a climate question you’d like answered? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721Presenter: Graihagh Jackson with Jordan Dunbar  
Producer: Diane Richardson  
Production Co-Ordinator: Rosie Strawbridge 
Sound Engineers: Dafydd Evans and Tom Brignell   
Editor: Simon Watts

Is Brazil doing enough to protect the Amazon?

Climate change is melting thousands of glaciers in the Himalayas and having a devastating impact on the people who live there. In 2024, the BBC's Caroline Davies visited the Pakistani side of the world's highest mountain range: she told Graihagh Jackson how villagers are coping, and how they are determined to stay put despite the risks of floods and the disruption to their traditional way of life.You can watch Caroline's reporting from Pakistan here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00246nx/from-above-melting-glaciersGot a climate question you’d like answered? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721Presenter: Graihagh Jackson
Reporter in Pakistan: Caroline Davies
Producers in Pakistan: Fakhir Munir, Usman Zahid, Kamil Dayan Khan
Producers in London: Ellie House and Osman Iqbal
Sound Mix: Rod Farquhar and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

How do we fight the risks of melting glaciers?

Bill Gates, the tech billionaire turned philanthropist, has been combating poverty, disease, and inequity around the world for decades. However, in recent years he has shifted focus and resources towards the climate crisis.Gates believes fighting climate change and fighting poverty are two sides of the same coin. Food, health and economic crises will last longer and become more severe as climate threats escalate, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable communities.But the billionaire remains optimistic and believes the power of human ingenuity will win out with a technology-driven approach to reducing carbon emissions and dealing with the impact of global warming.In 2023, Graihagh Jackson sat down with Bill Gates to talk about his positive outlook and the billions he’s investing in tackling climate change.Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.comPresenter: Graihagh Jackson
Producer: Osman Iqbal
Series producers: Alex Lewis and Simon Watts
Editor: China Collins
Sound engineers: James Beard, Graham Puddifoot and Tom Brignell

Bill Gates: Why I'm a climate optimist

From coral reefs and mangroves to raising the land itself, how small island nations are using natural and innovative techniques to adapt to rising sea levels and extreme weather events linked to climate change. Jordan Dunbar chats to Tina Stege, climate envoy for the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Dr. Rosanne Martyr, senior scientist on coastal vulnerability and adaptation, Climate Analytics.  Plus, Anna Holligan, the BBC's correspondent in The Hague, has the latest on a landmark climate case brought by Pacific Islanders at the International Court of Justice.Got a comment or a question you’d like us to answer? Send an email to: TheClimateQuestion@bbc.com or whatsapp us on +44 8000 321 721 Presenter: Jordan Dunbar 
Producer: Diane Richardson 
Production Co-Ordinator: Brenda Brown  
Sound Engineers: Tom Brignell, Rohan Madison and Frank McWeeny
Editor: Simon Watts

How do we save the world's small islands?

Rare earths have been described as the oil of the 21st century, incredibly valuable both economically and in the fight against climate change. There's a battle underway around the world to mine and control these minerals - a battle that is currently being won by China. As demand rises, the problems with rare earths are also becoming clearer because getting them out of the ground requires strip mining and the use of poisonous chemicals.BBC China Correspondent Laura Bicker has seen this environmental impact first hand on a visit to the rare earth hubs of Bayan Obo in northern China and Guanzuo in the south. She's been speaking to locals about the benefits this booming industry brings and the damage that it can cause. BBC Climate and Science Reporter Esme Stallard also joins Jordan Dunbar to chat about why rare earths are so valuable and the state of greenhouse gas emissions in China. Plus, she's got an update on a climate satellite that's gone missing in space! Presenter: Jordan Dunbar 
Producers: Diane Richardson and Jordan Dunbar 
Production Co-Ordinator: Brenda Brown 
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and Dave O'Neill 
Editor: Simon WattsGot a question you’d like us to answer? Send an email to: TheClimateQuestion@bbc.com or whatsapp us on +44 8000 321 721

Is the race for rare earths good for the planet?

Could changing weather patterns due to climate change make a difference to where and when we travel, or to the cost of our holidays?  It was the hottest June on record for Western Europe, according to the EU’s climate service, Copernicus. And the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says that heatwaves in Europe will become more frequent, more intense and longer-lasting.  Extreme heat and drier weather can lead to wildfires, while retreating snow lines can put pressure on winter skiing trips. For their part, popular destinations in the Caribbean and the Pacific face another challenge - from rising sea levels. Host Graihagh Jackson asks how holiday-makers and the travel industry can adapt to a changing climate.  Contributors: 
Simon King, Lead BBC weather presenter and meteorologist 
Dr. Susanne Etti, Global Environmental Impact Manager at Intrepid Travel
Stefan Gössling, Professor of Tourism Research, Linnaeus University, SwedenPresenter: Graihagh Jackson  
Producer: Diane Richardson 
Production Co-Ordinator: Brenda Brown  
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and Dave O'Neill  
Editor: Simon WattsGot a question you’d like us to answer? Send an email to: TheClimateQuestion@bbc.com or whatsapp us on +44 8000 321 721

Will climate change affect my holiday?

Delhi’s roads are being taken over by electric mopeds, scooters and rickshaws. More than fifty per cent of two- and three-wheelers are already electric, and the market is expected to continue growing. It’s good news for the fight against climate change. Why has the transition to green vehicles been so swift in India and what can the rest of the world learn from it?Graihagh Jackson speaks to reporter Sushmita Pathak, who’s been chatting to those who’ve made the switch to electric as well as those who haven’t.Akshima Ghate from the RMI Foundation and Louise Ribet of C40 cities explain why these small vehicles are so popular and what countries like India and others gain from encouraging electric uptake. From better air quality and healthier children to energy security and manufacturing expertise, there are many benefits beyond mitigating climate change. Got a comment or a question you’d like us to answer? Send an email to: TheClimateQuestion@bbc.com or whatsapp us on +44 8000 321 721 Presenter: Graihagh Jackson
Producer: Ben Cooper
Researcher: Octavia Woodward
Production Co-Ordinator: Brenda Brown
Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell
Editors: Sophie Eastaugh and Simon WattsGot a question you’d like us to answer? Send an email to: TheClimateQuestion@bbc.com

Why are electric scooters, mopeds and rickshaws booming?

Climate change is having major health impacts around the world - which are only expected to increase as our planet gets warmer. These impacts range from heat stroke to the spread of tropical diseases, from hospitals losing power during extreme weather to the effect on our mental health. In this week's show, Graihagh Jackson talks to two doctors from Malaysia and Egypt about the challenges the medical sector faces, as well as possible solutions and how healthcare must also address its own emissions problem.If you have a question or a comment, email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721Guests:
Dr Jemilah Mahmoud, Executive Director, Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, Malaysia.
Dr Omnia El Omrani, Vice-Chair of the Global Climate and Health Alliance,Presenter: Graihagh Jackson
Producer: Diane Richardson
Research: Jordan Dunbar
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and Philip Bull
Editor: Simon Watts

How could climate change affect my health?

The Climate Question panel discuss how to make homes - and ships - better for the climate. Plus, what about our own carbon footprints? And are oceans or forests better at storing carbon?Answering your head-scratchers are Justin Rowlatt, BBC climate editor; Akshat Rathi, senior climate reporter for Bloomberg News and host of Bloomberg's Zero podcast; and Caroline Steel, presenter of BBC CrowdScience.Got a question for the next listeners' show? You can email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721Host: Graihagh Jackson 
Producer:  Diane Richardson 
Production co-ordinator:  Brenda Brown 
Sound Mix: Mike Regaard and Tom Brignell 
Editor:  Simon Watts

Your Questions Answered

Tropical rainforests cover around 6% of our planet, yet they're home to more than half of the world’s species. They're also one of our planet’s most vital defences against climate change. But a new report shows how our tropical forests were ravaged in 2024 - and the Amazon rainforest was one of the worst impacted. Host Graihagh Jackson finds out why, speaking to BBC climate reporter Esme Stallard and Colombia’s former environment minister, Susana Muhamad.Presenter: Graihagh Jackson
Producers: Beth Timmons and Diane Richardson
Sound Engineer: Dave O'Neill and Tom Brignell
Editors: Simon Watts and Lisa Baxter

Why are our tropical forests disappearing faster than ever and what can we do about It?

David Attenborough's new documentary argues that our oceans have been underexplored and undervalued. Could protecting our seas not only help biodiversity, but fix the climate too?Keith Scholey, one of the directors of "Ocean With David Attenborough", tells The Climate Question how the world’s seas are at a critical turning point. Many countries have pledged to protect a third of the world’s oceans, and the film’s creators hope it will push global leaders to deliver on their promise at this year's UN conference on oceans. The documentary also includes some of the most detailed footage ever captured of bottom trawling, a widespread fishing method that damages the seabed. In this episode we ask why we know so little about the ocean? And why the largest part of our planet been under-protected for so long? Presenters: Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar
Producer: Beth Timmins
Sound Engineers: Ben Andrews, Mike Regaard and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsGot a question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Could the oceans help us save our planet?

Around the world, scientists and entrepreneurs are pouring billions into researching new ways of storing carbon dioxide. We look at a scheme in India to put CO2 in rocks and research in the UK using kelp. Will either of them be effective?Host Graihagh Jackson dives into the waters off Britain's southern coast to find out more about the magical powers of kelp, while Chhavi Sachdev visits a tea plantation in Darjeeling which is hoping to diversify into carbon sequestration.Contributors:
Shrey Agarwal, CEO, Alt Carbon. 
Dr Steve Smith, Arnell Associate Professor of Greenhouse Gas Removal, Oxford University. 
Dr Ray Ward, Queen Mary University of London. Carbon sequestration lead, Sussex Kelp Recovery Project. Presenter:  Graihagh Jackson 
Reporter in India: Chhavi Sachdev 
Producer:  Diane Richardson 
Production co-ordinator:  Brenda Brown 
Sound Mix:  Tom Brignell 
Editor:  Simon WattsIf you have a question, email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721

Can nature help us to store carbon?

Climate change is making weather more extreme and threatening crops and wildlife. But could old solutions help us tackle these challenges? Around the world, farmers and scientists are reviving ancient crops, and reintroducing ancient animals to build resilience against climate impacts. In this episode, reporter Beth Timmins travels to the Peruvian Andes to meet the ‘Potato Guardians’, while Jordan Dunbar visits London’s Natural History Museum. Curator Lottie Dodwell-Williams introduces the museum's first climate-focused exhibit, Fixing Our Broken Planet, which includes a plan to bring bison back to Britain. Host Graihagh Jackson chats to Jordan and Beth about how traditional knowledge and techniques from the past are being used to combat the effects of climate change today.  Presenter: Graihagh Jackson 
Reporters: Beth Timmins and Jordan Dunbar
Production Co-Ordinator: Brenda Brown
Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell
Editors: Sophie Eastaugh and Simon Watts If you have a question, email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721

Can the past teach us how to fight climate change?

A new climate fiction prize has been launched in the UK, with the aim of spreading awareness about climate change and its solutions. But is that a realistic hope? And how should novelists be writing about climate change anyway?Graihagh Jackson talks to the Nigerian winner of the Climate Fiction Prize, Abi Daré , and the chair of judges, Madeleine Bunting.Presenter: Graihagh Jackson
Producer: Di Richardson
Sound mix: Hannah Montgomery and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsThe Climate Fiction Prize is supported by Climate Spring.If you have a question, email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721

What makes a good climate novel?

Will Pope Leo continue the Catholic Church's work on fighting global warming? And how influential might he be? Graihagh Jackson investigates.Guests:
Christiana Zenner, Associate Professor of Theology, Science and Ethics in the Department of Theology at Fordham University. Author of the forthcoming "Beyond Laudato Si"
Dr Adil Najam, President of WWF International, and Professor of International Relations and of Earth and Environment at the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston UniversityProducer: Beth Timmins
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown
Sounds Engineers: Dave O'Neil and David Crackles
Editor: Simon WattsIf you have a question, email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721

Will the new Pope be a climate campaigner?

President Trump has made sweeping changes to America's policies on climate since being sworn in 100 days ago. He has announced plans to "unleash" American energy, including revitalising the coal industry and boosting oil and gas. The president has also cut funding for clean energy projects and renewables, while slashing jobs in government-funded climate research. Experts also say Washington's trade tariffs are having a big impact on the global market for new technologies such as solar panels and electric vehicles.So what does all this mean for the green transition in America and beyond? Graihagh Jackson talks to the BBC's US environment correspondent, Carl Nasman, BBC climate editor Justin Rowlatt and Zerin Osho, director of the India programme at the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development based in Washington DC.  Graihagh also chats to Tom Di Liberto, a climate scientist who was recently fired from America's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).Presenter: Graihagh Jackson
Producers: Sophie Eastaugh and Beth Timmins
Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown
Sound: Gabriel O'Regan and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsIf you have a question, email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721

Trump and the planet: The first 100 days

Hydroelectricity is the world’s biggest source of renewable energy, and dams have long been a popular - if controversial - way to fast-track development and boost economies.  Jordan Dunbar is in Thailand, a country that has been transformed by hydropower. He meets Thais who've been helped by dams, and those they’ve hurt. And he finds out how a warming world could put the future of hydropower in jeopardy. Presenter: Jordan Dunbar 
Producer: Ellie House 
Assistant Producer in Thailand: Maew Wilawan Watcharasakwej  
Sound design: Tom Brignell 
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown 
Editor: Simon WattsIf you have a question, email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721

Are dams still worth it?

A growing body of scientific evidence from across the globe suggests that a love of nature could inspire us to be more sustainable – something scientists say is more necessary than ever given the climate crisis. The more we connect with nature, the more likely it is that we're willing to protect it. It’s never too late to build that bond, but studies show that outdoor adventures as children make us more likely to be eco-heroes later on. Getting outside isn't just a win for the planet. Science has shown that increased time in nature yields a plethora of positive impacts, ranging from reduced crime rates and enhanced family bonding to improved physical health, peace of mind, child development, and overall well-being. The Climate Question celebrates Earth Day by speaking to children at a wildlife club in Kenya, a virtual reality film director in South Africa whose ambition is to make up-close encounters with animals accessible for everyone, and a leading nature connection expert in Canada.  Guests:  
Ulrico Grech-Cumbo, CEO Habitat XR in South Africa 
John Zelenski, Professor of Psychology at Carleton University in Canada 
Gabriel Ngale, Nairobi Region Conservation Education Head, Wildlife Clubs of Kenya Production team:
Presenter: Graihagh Jackson 
Reporter in Kenya: Michael Kaloki 
Production Co-ordinator: Brenda Brown 
Producer: Diane Richardson
Sound mix: Tom Brignell  
Editor: Sophie EastaughIf you have a question, email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721

Could a love of nature bring out the eco-hero in you?

As the UN's shipping body, the International Maritime Organization, meets to decide on a pivotal levy that will tax ships for using polluting fuels, host Graihagh Jackson and BBC Climate Reporter Esme Stallard discuss whether this will be enough to cut the industry's significant carbon emissions. From the Port of Rotterdam, we find out how the industry is already trying to reduce its carbon footprint. And are alternative shipping fuels really as green as it's claimed.   We dive into the issue, along with more of April's climate news. The BBC’s Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt speaks to one of COP30’s top officials, a new study on carbon-gobbling forests in China and the latest on India’s heatwave. Presenters: Graihagh Jackson and Esme Stallard 
Producer: Beth Timmins 
Editor: Sophie Eastaugh 
Sound mixing: Tom Brignell 
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown

How can we cut the world’s shipping emissions?

Graihagh Jackson talks to mothers from India, Kenya and the UK about how climate change is affecting women's decisions about whether to have children and how to raise them.

Graihagh Jackson and guests tackle more of your intriguing questions: Why do we use big wind turbines instead of small ones? Can petrol and diesel vehicles be converted to EVs? And can floodwater be captured and stored? In the debate are Justin Rowlatt, BBC climate editor; Akshat Rathi, senior climate reporter for Bloomberg News and host of Bloomberg's Zero podcast; and Caroline Steel, presenter of BBC Crowdscience, If you have a question, email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721Presenter: Graihagh Jackson
Producer: Diane Richardson
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown
Sound Mix: Dave O'Neill and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

Bangkok is a mega city of more than 10 million people, the economic powerhouse of Southeast Asia and one of the world’s most visited cities. 
Billions of dollars worth of new luxury real estate is planned as huge skyscrapers pierce the sky and become back drops to some of our biggest film and TV series. 
But there’s a problem, Bangkok is sinking; in fact, it’s one of the fastest sinking cities in the world.To make matters worse, climate change is affecting both sides of the city: sea levels are rising in the Bay of Bangkok, and water levels are increasing in the mighty Chao Praya river.Jordan Dunbar is in the Thai capital to find out: How do you stop a mega city sinking? Reporter: Jordan Dunbar
Producers: Ellie House and Maew Wilawan Watcharasakwej
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsIf you have a question, email us at the climatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at +44 8000 321 721

How do you stop a megacity going under water?

Experts say we need to be 40 per cent more energy efficient to meet our climate goals. Is that doable? And might it save us money too?It's a solution that's been called the main route to net zero: energy efficiency - or using less energy to get the same or better results. But there’s an issue – it's got an image problem as many people think it’s boring. And it is hard to get excited about the idea of better lightbulbs!But energy efficiency could save us money on our bills too - especially in a warming world, where many countries will need air conditioning just to function. So does this crucial area in the fight against climate change need a rebrand. And could it even become sexy?In a programme first broadcast in 2024, Presenter Jordan Dunbar talks to:
Dr Rose Mutiso - Research Director Energy for Growth Hub
Prima Madan – Director, Cooling & Energy Efficiency, International Natural Resources Defence Council, India
Kofi Agyarko – Director of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Ghana Energy Commission
Thomas Naadi – BBC Correspondent, GhanaProduction Team: Ben Cooper, Octavia Woodward, Brenda Brown, Simon Watts
Sound Design: Tom Brignellemail: theclimatequestion@bbc.comNOTE: The speech made by President Jimmy Carter mentioned in the programme, was made in 1977 not 1974, as stated.

Can I save money and save the planet?

Graihagh Jackson and BBC Climate Reporter Esme Stallard discuss the latest news from around the world - including a row at Britain's prestigious Royal Society about whether to expel Elon Musk, the latest numbers on the state of glaciers and a report from Germany on the future of the country's massive coal industry. Plus, Caroline Steel from the BBC's Crowdscience podcast has been finding out how Norwegians are protecting themselves from the growing number of encounters with polar bears.Presenter: Graihagh Jackson and Esme Stallard
Reporters: Caroline Steel and Tim Mansel
Sound engineer: James Beard, Neil Churchill and Tom Brignell
Produced and Edited by Graihagh Jackson and Simon WattsIf you have a question, email us at the climatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at +44 8000 321 721

Elon Musk and science, and polar bear encounters

Climate change is usually associated with hotter weather, but experts say that in Mongolia it's making the country's cold snaps even harsher. Can Mongolian nomads survive much longer in extreme winter conditions known as "dzuds"? Or will the loss of their livestock and livelihoods force herders to abandon a way of life that dates back millennia?Graihagh Jackson finds out more about the situation on the ground from Mongolian reporter Khaliun Bayartsogt, and explores possible solutions with Khulan Dashpuntsag from the UN-funded ADAPT project.Presenter: Graihagh Jackson
Reporter in Mongolia: Khaliun Bayartsogt
Producers: Tsogzolmaa Shofyor, Octavia Woodward, Caroline Bayley, Ellie House
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsIf you have a question, email us at the climatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at +44 8000 321 721

Why are some countries fighting extreme cold?

How can we protect our mental health from climate change related trauma?  Can family, friends and community help to boost recovery and resilience in places hit by extreme weather?   Graihagh Jackson finds out about a local support network called "After The Fire", set up following the wildfires which swept through Northern California in 2017. And she hears how the Manobo tribe in the Philippines are protecting their community from flooding and typhoons. Plus, we hear some top tips about mental health first aid, and how to build psychological resilience, from Jyoti Mishra, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of California and Dr. John Jamir Benzon R. Aruta, Associate Professor at the de La Salle University in the Philippines.You can find out more about the story from the Philippines by following the link to an article by our friends at BBC Future Planet.  Presenter:  Graihagh Jackson 
Producer:  Diane Richardson
For BBC Future Planet: Gab Mejia, Ivan Torres, Jeremy Riggall and Isabelle Gerretsen 
Production co-ordinator:  Brenda Brown 
Sound Mix:  Tom Brignell 
Editor:  Simon WattsIf you have a question, email us at the climatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at +44 8000 321 721

How can we build mental resilience to climate change?

Across the world vehicle manufacturers are racing to make zero emission cars in the move away from fossil-fuel powered vehicles. It’s a huge market which could reach 9 trillion dollars worldwide by 2030. One small country which is grabbing this opportunity is Hungary.  Located in the heart of Europe but with a population of under 10 million, it’s becoming one of the top battery producers globally for electric cars.  This transition is bringing billions of euros of investment into the Hungarian economy and creating tens of thousands of jobs.  One city in particular – Debrecen – the country’s second biggest, is becoming an epi-centre for battery production. The Climate Question’s Jordan Dunbar has been to Debrecen to find out who’s benefitting from the green gold rush. He speaks to local people and businesses about their hopes and fears as their city is transformed. Presenter: Jordan Dunbar 
Producers in Hungary: Ellie House and Balint Bardi 
Producer in London: Caroline Bayley 
Sound Designer: Tom Brignell 
Editor: Simon Watts If you have a question, email us at the climatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at +44 8000 321 721

How can you have a successful relationship with someone if you believe passionately in climate action, but they don’t?
The fate of our planet can be a divisive, emotive, even frightening issue. It’s something that’s tearing more and more couples and families apart, experts have told us.It’s not easy getting past those differences with the ones we love, but it is possible. We speak to a couple, as well as a mother and daughter, to find out how. And we ask whether the way we talk to our loved ones about climate change might offer important lessons on how we discuss the issue more broadly.Presenter Graihagh Jackson is joined by:Daze and Antonia Aghaji, from London
Caroline Hickman, researcher at the University of Bath in the UK and psychotherapist
Mohini and Sam Pollock, from Campbell, CaliforniaThanks to Jasmine Navarro, founder of Nava, for her help with this episode, which was first broadcast in 2023.Producer: Simon Tulett
Series Producer: Alex Lewis
Editor: China Collins
Sound engineer: Tom Brignell
Production co-ordinators: Debbie Richford and Sophie HillIf you have a question, email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721

Is Climate Change ruining your relationship?

The Musya family from rural Kenya have become the stars of two documentaries, inspiring audiences around the world with their efforts to fight the impact of climate change.The award-winning 'Thank You For The Rain' shows how Kisilu Musya manages to keep his family on their farm by planting trees, diversifying their crops and adapting to more extreme weather events.  'Grace And The Storm' tells the story from the perspective of his daughter Grace and was made by CBBC for children around the world.The Climate Question visits the Musya farm in Kenya and talks to the documentary-maker Julia Dahr. Dahr directed 'Thank You For the Rain' and co-directed 'Grace And The Storm' with Dina Mwende. UK viewers can watch 'Grace And The Storm' via the link.Presenter: Jordan Dunbar
Reporter in Kenya: Michael Kaloki
Producers: Ellie House and Graihagh Jackson
Sound Design: Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsIf you have a question, email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721

Grace and Kisilu's Story

Climate Question listeners take over the programme again, putting their queries to Graihagh Jackson and her panel: BBC climate editor Justin Rowlatt, Bloomberg News senior climate reporter Akshat Rathi and the presenter of BBC CrowdScience Caroline Steel. One listener asks why the climate appears to have changed so dramatically and fast in the last 50 years. Another wonders whether "space junk" plays a role in global warming. Plus, a question from a five-year old and - in a first for the programme - a listener's climate song!If you have a question, email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721 Producer: Michaela Graichen
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown
Sound mix: James Beard and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

Your questions answered: The speed of global warming; space junk; advice for kids

How farmers and scientists in eastern India are using ancient rice seeds to fight flooding, increasing soil salinity and drought.  The BBC’s William Kremer tells Graihagh Jackson about his visit to the Sundarbans in West Bengal, where cyclones and rising sea levels have devastated crops, and meets the rice growers drawing on the skills of their forefathers, to feed their families. Graihagh also gets a global overview from Dr Rafal Gutaker, rice expert at Kew Gardens, London.And if you'd like to hear more about rice, the BBC World Service's Food Chain programme has just made a show about the climate impacts of the crop. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct5xp0Reporter in India: William Kremer
Production Team:  Diane Richardson, Graihagh Jackson, Octavia Woodward
Sound Mix: Neil Churchill and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon WattsIf you have a question for the team, email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721

In 2024, the global temperature was more than 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. Graihagh Jackson and BBC Climate Report Esme Stallard consider the significance of this key climate target being breached. Plus, why farmers in Malawi are switching to banana wine and how global warming might be forcing humpback whales to migrate even further.With Zeke Hausfather, Climate Scientist at the University of California, Berkeley; and BBC Africa reporter Ashley Lime.Got a climate question you’d like answered? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721Production Team: Anne Okumu in Malawi; Diane Richardson, Ellie House and Sophie Eastaugh in London
Sound Mix: James Beard and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

News update: The Earth breaches its temperature target

Every year, the great migration sees hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, gazelles, zebras and antelopes migrate from the Serengeti plains in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara in Kenya, in search of water and juicy grass. But rising temperatures and unpredictable weather are changing this epic animal journey dramatically. It’s the same for great white sharks, which are being spotted in areas where they’d never normally live.Tanzanian safari guide Neema Amos takes us into the Serengeti to explain why the wildebeest migration is so important. And shark expert Trisha Atwood reveals how these changes affect not just the animals, but our fight against climate change itself.Presenter Sophie Eastaugh is joined by:
Neema Amos, Safari Guide in Tanzania
Trisha Atwood, Associate Professor of Watershed Sciences at Utah State University
Joseph Ogutu, Senior Statistician at University of HohenheimEmail us at theclimatequestion@bbc.comProducers: Sophie Eastaugh and Octavia Woodward
Editors: Graihagh Jackson and Tom Bigwood
Series Producer: Simon Watts
Sound design and mixing: Tom Brignell
Production Coordinator: Brenda BrownArchive from the Sir David Attenborough programme, ‘Wildebeest: The Super Herd’, BBC Two, 2008This programme was first broadcast in March 2024

How is climate change affecting animal migration?

From elections around the world to records in both temperatures and renewable energy, 2024 has been jam-packed with extreme weather and climate news. Graihagh Jackson, Jordan Dunbar and an expert panel reflect on the key climate stories of the year.  Dr Rose Mutiso from the Energy for Growth Hub reveals a ‘silent solar revolution’ that has surged across rooftops in South Africa and beyond, helping the grid finally meet people’s electricity needs. We discuss the rise of electric vehicles – but also, deforestation. And the BBC’s Climate Reporter Esme Stallard explains why rising ocean temperatures are the red flag to which we should all be paying more attention. So, has 2024 been a good or bad year for the climate? Got a climate question you’d like answered? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721 Presenter: Graihagh Jackson 
Reporter: Jordan Dunbar 
Guests: Dr Rose Mutiso, Research Director at the Energy for Growth Hub 
Esme Stallard, BBC Climate Reporter Producer: Sophie Eastaugh 
Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Katie Morrison 
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and James Beard  
Editor: Simon Watts

Review of the year 2024

As 2024 draws to a close, join Graihagh Jackson as she hosts The Climate Question’s inaugural Quiz of the Year. Two teams battle it out – with questions, games, and challenges looking back at the past year in climate change. Can you beat them?Got a climate question you’d like answered? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721Presenter: Graihagh Jackson 
Competitors: Jordan Dunbar, Dr Rose Mutiso, Jacqui Wakefield, and Dr Akshat Rathi 
Producer: Ellie House 
Sound Mix: James Beard 
Editor: Simon Watts

Quiz of the Year 2024

Plastics are everywhere – for good reason – they're cheap, abundant and can go into a myriad of different products from food packaging to vital medical equipment. But plastic waste has a devastating effect on the environment and the manufacturing process is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The world is trying to agree on a treaty to reduce plastics pollution but a recent meeting in South Korea ended in failure. Graihagh Jackson talks to experts on the past and future of plastics, and she hears a report from Malaysia, where plastic waste dumps can be up to 15 metres high.Got a climate question you’d like answered? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721Presenter: Graihagh Jackson  
Reporter in Malaysia: Leana Hosea
Guests: Susan Frankel, author of "Plastic: A Toxic Love Story", and Dr Cressida Bowyer, Associate Professor in Arts and Sustainability at the University of Portsmouth.    
Producer: Octavia Woodward
Production Support: Ellie House
Production co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Katie Morrison
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

Climate change and plastic - what's the connection?

Climate change is melting thousands of glaciers in the Himalayas and having a devastating impact on the people who live there. The BBC's Caroline Davies has just been to the Pakistani side of the world's highest mountain range: she tells Graihagh Jackson how villagers are coping, and how they are determined to stay put despite the risks of floods and the disruption to their traditional way of life.You can watch Caroline's reporting from Pakistan here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00246nx/from-above-melting-glaciersGot a climate question you’d like answered? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721Presenter: Graihagh Jackson
Reporter in Pakistan: Caroline Davies
Producers in Pakistan: Fakhir Munir, Usman Zahid, Kamil Dayan Khan
Producers in London: Ellie House and Osman Iqbal
Sound Mix: Rod Farquhar and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

What do melting glaciers mean for the Himalayas?

For two weeks, nearly 200 countries have been in Azerbaijan trying to come to an agreement on climate change and how to finance the transition to clean and green economies in developing nations.  At COP 29, there were walk-outs, there was drama, and then there was a deal - of sorts. Graihagh Jackson is joined by an all-star panel to re-cap what happened and ask what all of this means for our planet. Guests:
Justin Rowlatt, BBC Climate Editor
Adil Najam, Professor of International Relations and Environment at the Pardee School and President of WWF
David Victor, Professor of Innovation and Public Policy at the University of California, San Diego
Dr Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the UN Convention on WetlandsGot a climate question you’d like answered? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721Presenters: Graihagh Jackson with Jordan Dunbar 
Producer: Octavia Woodward
Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Katie Morrison
Editor: Simon Watts
Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell and Giles Aspen

Was the COP climate summit a success?

In his latest climate change 101, Jordan Dunbar looks at how climate change affects our everyday lives. He discusses the impact on our weather with BBC forecaster Louise Lear; while BBC Africa business journalist Clare Muthinji looks at what a warmer world means for the economy - from prices at the supermarket to where we go on holiday!CORRECTION: In this episode we quote an London School of Economics report that found food prices are 37% higher due to climate change.
This is incorrect. While the LSE report found food prices rising globally in part due to climate change, the 37% figure comes from a different piece of research.Got a climate question you’d like answered? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com or WhatsApp: +44 8000 321 721Presenter and Producer: Jordan Dunbar
Researchers: Octavia Woodward, Osman Iqbal and Tsogzolmaa Shofyor
Sound Design: Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

How does climate change affect me?

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

What do developing nations want from the big climate summit?

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

What progress have we made on fighting climate change?

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

The Climate Question x Global News Podcast: Listeners Questions Special

How will the US election result alter climate policy at home and abroad? Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar hear from BBC Environment Correspondent Matt McGrath, US Environment Correspondent Carl Nasman and Zerin Osho, Director of the India Programme at the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development in Washington DC.Producers: Octavia Woodward and Jordan Dunbar
Sound Mix: Neil Churchill
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

Trump wins: What does it mean for the climate?

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

How is climate misinformation evolving?

Everyone who steps outside can appreciate the value that the natural world brings to our lives. To some people, the idea of placing a monetary value on trees and mangrove forests is wrong because nature and its gifts are priceless. But others say the love of nature has not stopped it from being polluted or destroyed. The natural world plays a major role in capturing the carbon from our atmosphere. A marketplace now exists where countries and big businesses can pay others to protect their forests, swamps and bogs in return for offsetting their emissions. But several of these schemes have faced scandal and corruption. Could the world’s largest biodiversity conference in Colombia, COP16, help put a stop to that?  Presenters Kate Lamble and Jordan Dunbar are joined by Kevin Conrad, founder, Coalition for Rainforests; Tina Stege, climate envoy, Marshall Islands; Pavan Sukhdev, chief executive officer, GIST Tell us what you think of the show or send us your own climate question. Email: TheClimateQuestion@bbc.com or Whatsapp: +44 8000 321 721 Producers: Darin Graham and Graihagh Jackson 
Researcher: Natasha Fernandez 
Reporter: Gloria Bivigou 
Series producers: Alex Lewis and Simon Watts 
Sound engineers: Graham Puddifoot and Tom Brignell

Should we put a price on nature?

Climate Question listeners take over the programme again with their head-scratchers. Graihagh Jackson and her panel: Justin Rowlatt, BBC climate editor,
Akshat Rathi, senior climate reporter for Bloomberg News and host of Bloomberg's Zero podcast and Caroline Steel, presenter of BBC Crowdscience,
ponder the impact of deforestation and marvel at the beauty of sequoia trees, which can live for more than 1000 years. There are also questions on the carbon cost of generative AI, the discovery of "black" oxygen in our oceans and deep-sea mining. Plus, which animal has the biggest carbon footprint?If you've got a query, email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a Whatsapp message on +44 8000 321 721Producer: Osman Iqbal
Sound mix: Gareth Jones and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

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

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