Stories on why we find it so hard to save our own planet, and how we might change that.
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Why is defending forests so deadly?
Someone dies every other day protecting the environment, according to data gathered by the campaign group, Global Witness. Even higher numbers of people are attacked or threatened. To understand why this is happening, the BBC’s East and Central Europe Correspondent, Nick Thorpe travels to the foothills of the Carpathians in Romania, to show us how important the forests there are in fighting climate change, why they’re subject to high levels of illegal logging and consequently, clashes with environmentalists. One activist, Gabriel Păun of Agent Green, describes the numerous and brutal attacks he’s experiences whilst out documenting illegal logging. We also hear from a mother, whose son was murdered when he confronted a ‘wood thief’ in 2019. Laura Furones from Global Witness tells host Graihagh Jackson why this is happening around the world and what we can do about it. Got a question, comment or experience you’d like to share? Email: TheClimateQuestion@BBC.com Produced and presented by Graihagh Jackson. Additional production by Osman Iqbal. Editor: Simon Watts Mixing: Tom Brignell
Are we spending enough on renewable energy?
There’s been a lot happening in our warming world and so The Climate Question is taking a break from its usual analysis to catch you up with the latest news. From worsening turbulence and plummeting planes to new rocket launches with satellites on board that hope to unlock one of the Earth’s big mysteries: clouds... and how they might impact, and be impacted, by global heating. Plus, a look at the latest trends in clean, green energy technology. Are we investing enough in renewables to put the brakes on climate change?Hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar are joined by Tim Gould from the International Energy Agency to find out about their new World Energy Investment Report and by BBC Climate Journalist Esme Stallard to discuss worsening air turbulence and what we can do about it.Do you have any questions or comments? Email: TheClimateQuestion@bbc.comShow Notes: Check out Jordan’s YouTube videos, covering the climate basics here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQYTEotCJw8&t=5s BBC Bitesize website for kids can be found here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z2np6g8Production Team: Octavia Woodward, Ben Cooper, Brenda Brown Sound Engineers: Neil Churchill and Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts
Is lab-grown meat better for the planet?
Billions of dollars have been pumped into the promise of a climate-friendly way of producing meat, but is growing a steak in a lab any better for the planet than rearing a cow on a farm? Supporters of the idea say it will dramatically reduce the impact of livestock, which is responsible for about 15% of the world’s planet-warming gases, as well as returning huge amounts of land to nature. But studies suggest cultivating meat in a lab might actually be worse for the planet, at least in the long-run – we put both claims to the test. Graihagh Jackson presents an update of a programme first broadcast in 2023.Guests: Tasneem Karodia, co-founder of Mzansi Meat, in South Africa; John Lynch, postdoctoral research associate at the University of Oxford, in the UK; Nick Marsh, the BBC’s Asia business correspondent, in SingaporeProducer: Simon Tulett Researcher: Matt Toulson Series Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: China Collins Sound engineer: Tom Brignell Production Coordinators: Debbie Richford and Sophie Hill
Your questions answered: climate change for kids; solar power; music for plants
Graihagh Jackson is joined by her regular panel to answer climate-related questions from listeners. BBC Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt, Professor Tamsin Edwards and Dr Akshat Rathi discuss telling children about climate change; solar panels; nuclear fusion and more. Plus, Graihagh finds out if playing music really helps plants to grow.If you've got a climate question, email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.comGuests: BBC Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt Professor Tamsin Edwards, King's College London Dr Akshat Rathi, Senior Climate Reporter, Bloomberg NewsProduction Team: Osman Iqbal, Octavia Woodward, Neil Churchill, Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts
What does China's green tech revolution mean for the world?
China is scouring the globe for the raw materials of the future. How will we be affected? Graihagh Jackson investigates.
Can we build better cities for mental health and the climate?
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?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, Netherlands Production Team: Graihagh Jackson, Octavia Woodward, Brenda Brown, Simon Watts Sound Design: Tom Brignellemail theclimatequestion@bbc.com
Can we save money and save the planet?
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? 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 Agyarka – 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.com
How do we know what's caused by climate change?
In this episode, Graihagh Jackson explores the new field of climate attribution science with leading climatologist Dr Friederike Otto. Dr Otto's team of experts can now rapidly assess to what extent extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts or floods have - or have not - been caused by man-made climate change.Graihagh finds out how this information is becoming crucial for disaster planning and response. She's also joined by BBC World Service disinformation reporter Jacqui Wakefield to discuss how Dr Otto's data can help fight a growing tendency by politicians and journalists to overstate the role of climate change.Presenters: Graihagh Jackson and Jacqui Wakefield Producer: Osman Iqbal Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown Sound design: Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts
Bonus Ep: the climate activists who sued their government (and won)
Our friends from BBC podcast The Global Story on a case that could change history
Can we save the world's coral?
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. 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 Research Presenters: Graihagh Jackson and Caroline Steel Producer: Octavia Woodward Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown Editor: Simon Watts Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell Got a climate question you’d like answered? E-mail the team: theclimatequestion@bbc.com
Can fertilisers go green?
Ammonia has revolutionised the way we produce our food, helping us to grow much, much more... But it’s also helping to grow global greenhouse gas emissions too. Synthetic fertilisers are actually responsible for around 5% of the planet-warming gases going into the air - that’s more than deforestation.In this episode, Graihagh Jackson examines this challenge that modern agriculture poses to the climate, and finds out whether it’s possible to cut emissions from fertiliser use without cutting food production at the same time. She’ll also be joined by local reporters in Kenya to hear about innovative projects aiming to tackle this problem and turn farming green. Do you have a climate question you’d like answered? E-mail us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com Presenter: Graihagh Jackson Reporters in Kenya: Michael Kaloki and James Gitaka Producer: Ben Cooper Researcher: Octavia Woodward Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown Sound engineer: Tom Brignell Editors: Simon Watts and Sophie Eastaugh
Why are electric two-wheelers booming?
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. Presenter: Graihagh Jackson Producer: Ben Cooper Researcher: Octavia Woodward Editors: Sophie Eastaugh and Simon Watts Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell Production Co-Ordinator: Brenda Brown Got a question you’d like us to answer? Send an email to: TheClimateQuestion@bbc.com
How is climate change affecting animal migration?
Global warming is forcing wildebeest and sharks to move their feeding grounds - with devastating effects on the rest of the food chain and on carbon storage. Sophie Eastaugh reports.
How does extreme heat affect pregnant women?
The BBC’s Global Health Correspondent Tulip Mazumdar investigates how extreme heat fuelled by climate change is affecting pregnant women in India. New research shared with the BBC suggests that pregnant informal workers in Tamil Nadu who were exposed to high temperatures saw double the risk of stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight and miscarriage. Discussing her reporting from India with The Climate Question host and fellow mum Graihagh Jackson, Tulip hears the heart-breaking stories of women affected and explores simple solutions that would make their work in scorching agricultural fields safer. Email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com Produced by Sophie Eastaugh, Graihagh Jackson and Camilla Horrox Editor: Sophie Eastaugh Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown
Your questions answered: reversing climate change, eating avocados, electric vehicles and more
You asked, we answered. This week our expert panel dive into your questions. Can climate change cause earthquakes and volcanic eruptions? How bad are avocados for the environment? Is climate change reversible? Send your questions to: theclimatequestion@bbc.com Plus, a look at biofuels and vertical farming, China’s electric vehicle boom, and the apparent contradiction between more renewable energy and the continuing rise in planet-warming gases Join Graihagh Jackson and our expert panel: - Dr Akshat Rathi, Senior Reporter for Climate, Bloomberg - Justin Rowlatt, Climate Editor, BBC News - Prof. Tamsin Edwards, Climate scientist, Kings College London