The Climate Question

BBC World Service

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

  1. Chernobyl at 40: Is nuclear power back in fashion?

    -1 ZI

    Chernobyl at 40: Is nuclear power back in fashion?

    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.com Presenters: Jordan Dunbar and Graihagh Jackson Producers: Simon Watts and Diane Richardson Sound Mix: Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts Picture credit: Getty Images

    28 min
  2. Can technology help us fight flooding in cities?

    19 APR.

    Can technology help us fight flooding in cities?

    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.com Guests: 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 Correspondent Presenter: Jordan Dunbar Producer: Osman Iqbal Researcher: Octavia Woodward Sound mix: Tom Brignell Editors: Sophie Eastaugh and Simon Watts Image: Reuters

    26 min
  3. Earthquakes and climate change

    12 APR.

    Earthquakes and climate change

    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.com Production 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)

    26 min
  4. Why are some cities banning fossil fuel ads?

    5 APR.

    Why are some cities banning fossil fuel ads?

    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 Verify Got a question or comment? email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com Production team: Grace Braddock, Diane Richardson, Nik Sindle, Melanie Stewart-Smith Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell and James Piper Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown Editor: Simon Watts Picture: Getty Images

    23 min
  5. What's it like being a chief heat officer?

    29 MAR.

    What's it like being a chief heat officer?

    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.com Presenter: Graihagh Jackson Producer: Osman Iqbal Sound engineer: James Beard and Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts

    26 min
  6. Can better buses fix city pollution?

    22 MAR.

    Can better buses fix city pollution?

    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 York Got a question or comment? email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com Production team: Grace Braddock, Diane Richardson, Nik Sindle Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell and Mike Regaard Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown Editor: Melanie Stewart-Smith Image: Guillermo Legaria/AFP via Getty Images

    26 min
  7. Q&A: Beavers, solar panels in the Sahara and nuclear waste

    15 MAR.

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

    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 Watts Picture Credit: A beaver. Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    26 min
  8. What's the climate cost of war?

    8 MAR.

    What's the climate cost of war?

    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.com Producers: Diane Richardson, Grace Braddock Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell and Philip Bull Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown Editor: Simon Watts

    24 min
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Detalii

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

Informații

  • Creator
    BBC World Service
  • Perioadă activă
    2020 - 2026
  • Episoade
    294
  • Evaluare
    Adecvat
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Site web emisiune
    The Climate Question
  • Furnizor

Altele de la BBC

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