The Rest is Climate Podcast

Nick Simpson

Cutting edge climate change science from the Climate Risk Lab

  1. 09/10/2025

    Securing structural economic transformation in a climate-changed world

    This podcast highlights how both the impacts of climate change and our responses to climate change affect climate change risk of structural economic transformation. examines Structural Economic Transformation (SET) in a world impacted by climate change, asserting its continued importance for poverty reduction and resilience. It highlights how climate change necessitates adaptations in development strategies, from diversifying production away from vulnerable sectors to capitalising on green economy opportunities, which are also influenced by geopolitics. The authors investigate how climate change and global responses affect national SET efforts and cross-border economic transformation, using case studies from Ethiopia, Jamaica, Kenya, Bangladesh, and Kazakhstan to illustrate diverse national experiences. The paper identifies a "green squeeze" through trade and finance policies by major industrial powers, but also proposes a "green ease" through reformed trade measures, R&D in green technologies, and supportive financial systems. Ultimately, it argues that advancing SET, alongside climate adaptation, is critical for all countries, with existing development initiatives now also serving to build climate resilience and competitiveness in a low-carbon economy. It is based on work from ODI Global and the Climate Risk Lab: Securing structural economic transformation in a climate-changed world. ODI Global Working paper. London: ODI Global, www.odi.org/publications/securing-structural-economic-transformation-in-a-climate-changed-world

    21 min
  2. 08/18/2025

    Indigenous knowledge in adaptation to climate change across Africa

    This Rest is Climate podcast examines the critical role of Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) in climate change adaptation in Africa. They highlight how ILK, encompassing traditional wisdom, practices, and observations, is crucial for African communities, particularly smallholder farmers, in forecasting weather patterns, managing natural resources, and ensuring food security. The texts also acknowledge the challenges to ILK's continued use, such as urbanisation, colonial influences, and a lack of formal recognition and documentation, while stressing the importance of integrating ILK with modern scientific approaches for more effective and inclusive climate adaptation strategies across the continent. It is based on research from the Climate Risk lab covering: Role of Indigenous and local knowledge in seasonal forecasts and climate risk preparedness: a case study of smallholder farmers in Chiredzi, Zimbabwe, Environmental Science and Policy, 145, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2023.03.017 Is indigenous knowledge serving climate adaptation? Evidence from various African regions, Development Policy Review, https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12664 The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Climate Change Adaptation in Africa, Environmental Science and Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.06.004 The role of indigenous knowledge and local knowledge in water sector adaptation to climate change in Africa: A structured assessment, Sustainability Science, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-022-01118-x Understanding responses to climate-related water scarcity in Africa, Science of The Total Environment, 806(1), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150420

    21 min
  3. 08/03/2025

    Climate Change in Africa: impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptation strategies across the continent

    This podcast discusses climate change impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptation strategies across Africa, categorising findings by sub-regions and various sectors. It highlights how socio-economic, political, and environmental factors intersect to create multi-dimensional climate change exposure and vulnerability, particularly for those in informal settlements, women, children, and the elderly. It highlights challenges in climate finance, governance, and the integration of indigenous knowledge into adaptation planning. Furthermore, it details how climate change affects crucial areas like health, food security, migration, and infrastructure, while also discussing the potential of climate information services and robust legal frameworks to foster climate-resilient development. The podcast also explores the nexus between water, energy, and food security, underscoring the complexities and interdependencies requiring holistic solutions. This podcast draws on work led by the Climate Risk Lab through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 6th Assessment Report (Chapter 9: Africa) and includes: Africa. In: Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, et al. (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009325844.011 Climate change in South Africa: Risks and opportunities for climate-resilient development in the IPCC Sixth Assessment WGII Report. South African Journal of Science;118(9/10), https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2022/14492

    16 min

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Cutting edge climate change science from the Climate Risk Lab

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