The Climate Question

Latest Episodes:

Could climate change fuel an epidemic? Jul 19, 2026

Show notes

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.com

Producers: Diane Richardson, Jordan Dunbar and Melanie Stewart-Smith Sound Mix: Dafydd Evans and Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts

Can science fiction help us fight climate change? Jul 12, 2026

Show notes

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 Brignell

Got a question for The Climate Question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

How to build a climate friendly city Jul 05, 2026

Show notes

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.com

Producers: Jordan Dunbar, Diane Richardson, Melanie Stewart-Smith Sound Mix: Dave O'Neill and Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts

"Super" El Niños and climate change Jun 28, 2026

Show notes

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.com

Producer: Grace Braddock Sound Mix: Mike Regaard and Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts

Picture Credit: Reuters

Is climate change ruining our sleep? Jun 21, 2026

Show notes

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

How will climate change affect insects? Jun 14, 2026

Show notes

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.com

Producers: Diane Richardson, Graihagh Jackson and Grace Braddock Sound mix: Mike Regaard and Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts

Can the World Cup cope with extreme heat? Jun 07, 2026

Show notes

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.com

Presenters: Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar Producers: Nik Sindle, Jordan Dunbar, Melanie Stewart-Smith Sound Mix: Tom Brignell, Philip Bull Editor: Simon Watts

Can we save the world's coral? May 31, 2026

Show notes

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 Research

Picture: 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 Brignell

Got a climate question you’d like answered? E-mail the team: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Should we mine the deep ocean? May 24, 2026

Show notes

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.com

Production team: Simon Watts, Graihagh Jackson, Diane Richardson, Melanie Stewart-Smith Sound Engineers: Jonny Hall and Tom Brignell Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown Editor: Simon Watts

Picture Credit: A Brittle Star, Michael Zeigler via Getty Images

The electric car boom in South East Asia May 17, 2026

Show notes

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.com

Presenter: Jordan Dunbar Producer: Nik Sindle Sound engineer: Jack Graysmark and Tom Brignell Editor: Simon Watts

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